No Smoking Day 2022: Some facts and how to quit
No Smoking Day is observed on the second Wednesday of March every year to make people aware of the adverse effects of smoking on their health. This year, the day is being celebrated on March 9. No Smoking Day is inspired by No Tobacco Day that is observed in the United Kingdom and aims to encourage smokers to quit smoking. Here's more about it.
Know about this year's theme
This year's theme is--Quitting smoking doesn't have to be stressful. The theme will aim to educate people about the concept and process of quitting the habit and calm them down as they start their new journey. They should not view the process as stressful. A few themes that were highly successful previously include "Time to Quit," and "Break Free."
History of No Smoking Day
Medical reports associating smoking with cancer came up in the 1920s following which several health initiatives were started. In 1984, the United Kingdom first observed the day when it noticed the people in the country were getting addicted to cigarettes. Initially, the day was celebrated on the first Wednesday of March on Ash Wednesday. However, it was later shifted to the second Wednesday.
Significance of the day
No Smoking Day aims to help people quit their deadly habit of smoking. It makes individuals aware of how smoking can lead to various diseases and push them toward death. According to the World Health Organization, around 1.2 million premature deaths occur each year due to second-hand smoking. The day also provides support and guidance to those who are interested to quit smoking.
Some numbers that might shock you
The Global Youth Tobacco Survey 2019 conducted by the International Institute of Population Sciences revealed that 7.3% of Indian students, including 6.2% of girls and 8.3% of boys, smoked tobacco. Further, 4.1% of students, including 3.4% of girls and 4.6% of boys, used smokeless tobacco. Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram registered the highest use of tobacco at 58% each, while Himachal Pradesh observed the lowest.
How to quit smoking?
According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey India (2016-17), around 267 million adults in India are active tobacco users. The most common forms of smoking tobacco include bidi, hookah, and cigarettes. To quit smoking effectively, try nicotine replacement therapy to prevent headaches that can occur after nicotine withdrawal. Talk to your friends and family to seek their support and gain encouragement throughout the process.
