'World No Tobacco Day': Ban Tobacco Advertising, Says WHO


Bangalore: Tobacco presently kills nearly six million people every year and the WHO estimated that the weed will kill more than eight million by 2030. World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), which is observed on May 31 is meant to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption across the globe.

The World Health Organization also called on nations to ban all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship to help reduce the number of tobacco users and keep young people from becoming addicted.

While, one study revealed that chewing tobacco poses a bigger threat than smoking, another study has revealed that an estimated 10 percent of tobacco-related deaths are caused by passive smoking. As per the WHO every year 6 lakh out of 60 lakh deaths due to tobacco are because of second-hand smoke.

Dr Rama Kant, WHO Director-General's Awardee and a senior surgeon said, "In India, 10 lakh people die every year due to tobacco," reported Shailvee Sharda for TNN. As per the global trend, about a lakh people in India may be dying from breathing second-hand smoke.

(With IANS inputs)

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