QUITTERS ARE WINNERS – Catholic Association of South Kanara

Tobacco contributes to 2.5 million cancer deaths annually and costs economies $1.4 trillion. The WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) supports measures to curb usage, especially in low- and middle-income countries where 80% of the world’s 1.25 billion tobacco users live.

World No Tobacco Day 2025 is observed on May 31, 2025, to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and advocate for stronger policies to reduce consumption. Initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987, this annual event highlights the global tobacco epidemic, which causes over 8 million deaths yearly, including 1.2 million from secondhand smoke exposure.

The 2025 theme, “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products,” focuses on revealing manipulative strategies by tobacco and nicotine industries, particularly targeting youth. These tactics include using over 16,000 appealing flavors, sleek packaging, and digital marketing, with promotional content viewed over 3.4 billion times on social media. An estimated 37 million children aged 13–15 use tobacco globally, with e-cigarette use among youth surpassing adult rates in many countries. This theme helps create awareness by focusing on the deceptive strategies used by tobacco and nicotine industries to attract users, especially youth. Here’s how it contributes to awareness:

Exposes Manipulative Tactics: The theme highlights how industries use over 16,000 appealing flavors, sleek packaging, and targeted digital marketing (with 3.4 billion social media views) to glamorize tobacco and nicotine products. By revealing these tactics, it educates people, particularly young audiences, to recognize and resist manipulative advertising.
Targets Vulnerable Groups: It draws attention to the industry’s focus on youth, with 37 million children aged 13–15 using tobacco globally and e-cigarette use surpassing adult rates. This empowers parents, educators, and communities to protect vulnerable groups through awareness campaigns.
Encourages Critical Thinking: By “unmasking” tactics, the theme prompts individuals to question appealing product designs and promotions, fostering informed decision-making about tobacco use.
Drives Policy Advocacy: Highlighting industry practices supports calls for stricter regulations, like flavor bans and advertising restrictions, raising public and policymaker awareness about the need for systemic change.
Engages Communities: The theme inspires global and local campaigns, such as social media movements (#TobaccoExposed), workshops, and rallies, which amplify awareness through collective action and storytelling.
Promotes Health Risks: It ties industry tactics to tobacco’s health impacts—8 million deaths annually, including 2.5 million from cancer—making the consequences tangible and urgent.

The Catholic Association of South Kanara with the glocal fraternity participates in the global campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and promote policies to reduce tobacco consumption.