World No Tobacco Day 2023
This campaign encourages governments to end tobacco growing subsidies and use the savings to support farmers to switch to more sustainable crops that improve food security and nutrition. It also aims to promote healthy living.
World No Tobacco Day is a World Health Organization (WHO) initiative that takes place on the 31st of May. It is a day to recognize the harms of tobacco use, tobacco business practices and what people can do to promote healthy living and protect future generations. (1)
The Member States of the WHO created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.
Oral Health Impacts
Tobacco is the leading cause of cancer in Australia contributing the 44% of all cancers. The health impacts of tobacco are well known to be significant and serious. In addition to its effect on general health, tobacco is known to increase the risk of gum disease, oral cancer and other conditions that occur in the mouth.
What is less well known is the impact of tobacco that comes in other forms. For example snuff, tobacco paste powder and chewing forms. Chewing tobacco is particularly hazardous for the mouth as it impacts directly on the inner surfaces of the mouth. It is illegal for the importation of smokeless tobacco in Australia, however, the use of the substance in chewing and snuff forms remains present.
Know that your dentist is there to help take care of your health. They are not there to judge you. Disclosing the use of tobacco in all its forms will help them recognize any changes in your mouth and help you in the process of monitoring your oral health. They can help you with quitting and finding resources.
World No Tobacco Day Resources
In the suite of World No Tobacco Day resources, which you can use to promote the day in your practice or at community events, you'll find:
Posters
An email signature
Social media posts
A web banner