World No Tobacco Day 2025: Trying To Quit Tobacco? Add These Foods To Your Diet
In 1987, WHO's Member States declared April 7, 1988, as a 'World No-Smoking Day' to mark WHO's 40th anniversary. Later, the WHO passed a resolution to observe World No Tobacco Day on May 31. Since then, the organisation has used this platform to highlight tobacco-related health risks and raise more awareness.
advetisement
In 1998, WHO launched the Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI) to strengthen global efforts, followed by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2003, a treaty adopted by many countries, including India, to reduce tobacco use.
World No Tobacco Day 2025: Significance
World No Tobacco Day plays a critical role in educating people about the harmful effects of tobacco. As per estimates by the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, which makes it the leading cause of preventable deaths.
The day also exposes the tobacco industry's manipulative tactics, such as targeting youth with appealing flavours and sleek designs. It also encourages individuals to quit tobacco and pushes governments to enforce stricter regulations, like bans on advertising and higher taxes on tobacco products.
World No Tobacco Day 2025: Key Facts
Tobacco kills up to half its users, contributing to diseases like cancer, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory illnesses.
Around 80 per cent of the world's 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries.
In 2020, 22.3 per cent of the world's population used tobacco: 36.7 per cent of men and 7.8 per cent of women.
Tobacco kills up to half of its users who don't quit (1–3).
The tobacco industry uses flavours and marketing to attract youth, with e-cigarette ads reaching over 3.4 billion views on social media.
Tobacco production harms the environment through deforestation, chemical use, and waste.
World No Tobacco Day 2025: Foods To Help Fight Tobacco Addiction
Quitting tobacco is challenging, but certain foods can support the process by reducing cravings and repairing the body.
Fruits and Vegetables: Apples, carrots, and celery keep hands and mouth busy, curbing the urge to smoke. Vitamin C-rich foods like oranges help repair damage caused by tobacco.
Whole Grains: Oats and brown rice stabilise blood sugar, reducing irritability during withdrawal.
Nuts and Seeds: Chewing almonds or sunflower seeds distracts from cravings and provides healthy fats.
Milk and Dairy: These can make cigarettes taste unpleasant, discouraging smoking.
Herbal Teas: Ginger or peppermint tea soothes stress and supports detoxification. Drinking plenty of water also flushes nicotine from the body, aiding recovery.
Advertisement
Flavoured Tobacco: A Sweet Trap Leading to Serious Harm, Warns Oncologist
According to Dr. Meghal Sanghavi, Oncologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, flavoured and glamorised tobacco products may seem less harmful — but that's exactly the danger.
'These products are designed to appeal to young people by masking the seriousness of addiction," he warned. 'Fruity flavours and sleek packaging often give a false sense of safety, drawing teenagers into early nicotine use."
Dr. Sanghavi expressed deep concern over the rising number of young individuals being exposed to such products. He cautioned, 'Early tobacco use significantly increases the risk of cancers, especially of the mouth, throat, and lungs. What feels like a harmless trend today can lead to life-threatening diseases tomorrow. Awareness and early prevention are absolutely critical."
advetisement
World No Tobacco Day 2025: Celebrations
World No Tobacco Day is marked by global and local events, including awareness rallies, poster competitions, and social media campaigns. Schools and communities organise educational programs to inform people about tobacco's negative effects on health.
Governments often use this day to launch new anti-tobacco policies, such as smoking bans in public places or plain packaging laws. Individuals can participate by sharing anti-tobacco messages, supporting friends to quit, or pledging to stay tobacco-free.
Jupiter Hospital, Thane Introduces De-Addiction Support Group On World No Tobacco Day 2025
In a significant step towards holistic healthcare, Jupiter Hospital, Thane launched its Tobacco De-Addiction Support Group on World No Tobacco Day. To mark this initiative, the hospital collaborated with the World Pranic Healing Foundation, founded by Master Choa Kok Sui, to host a pilot session on Twin Hearts Meditation and Pranic Healing.
This event brought together medical experts, wellness professionals, Pranic Healers, patients, survivors, and individuals aiming to quit tobacco use, highlighting the growing importance of incorporating complementary therapies like energy healing and meditation into mainstream de-addiction programs.
The Tobacco De-Addiction Support Group aims to provide long-term, comprehensive care for individuals seeking to overcome tobacco addiction. It goes beyond conventional medical treatment by offering emotional, psychological, and holistic wellness support, empowering individuals on their journey towards a healthier, tobacco-free life. The support group will hold monthly sessions, ensuring regular engagement and encouragement for participants throughout their recovery.
Dr. Alpa Dalal, Head of Pulmonary Medicine, Jupiter Hospital, Thane, stated, 'Tobacco addiction is a multifaceted condition that harms both the body and mind. At Jupiter Hospital, Thane, we treat our patients not only medically but also emotionally and psychologically."
The World Pranic Healing Foundation conducted the pilot session, showcasing how energy-based, no-touch, drug-free therapies are emerging as valuable complementary tools in de-addiction and rehabilitation programs. With addiction often linked to deep emotional and psychological patterns, experts increasingly advocate for integrating energy healing and meditation into mainstream healthcare.
At the core of this initiative is Twin Hearts Meditation, a guided technique that relieves stress, clears negative emotions, and builds emotional resilience. Its regular practice strengthens willpower, clarity, and inner peace, which are crucial for overcoming addictive tendencies.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Olympian Camille Cheng named IOC mental health ambassador, plans Hong Kong advocacy
IOC appoints Camille Cheng as mental health ambassador for Asia Olympic swimmer Camille Cheng Lily-mei has been named one of the first mental health ambassadors by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), recognizing her commitment to athlete wellness beyond her accomplishments in the pool. Cheng, who has represented Hong Kong in three Olympic Games, was invited to attend the IOC Consensus Meeting on Mental Health for Elite Athletes earlier this month in Lausanne, Switzerland. She will serve as the female ambassador representing Asia. Also read: The more time kids spend on phones, the worse their mental health... but bans in schools alone won't help: 'There'll be 12 representatives: a female representative and a male representative from the Americas, Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa, and then two more,' Cheng explained. 'It is up to the ambassador to be very proactive in how we bring what the IOC is doing in this space to our own region.' Live Events The ambassador program is part of a broader IOC initiative to incorporate athlete perspectives into mental health strategies. Cheng, who co-founded Hong Kong-based mental health charity Mind the Waves , plans to bring IOC research and initiatives to local conversations in Hong Kong. 'My hope is to take this experience, the resources that will be available, the research and bring it to Hong Kong and have conversations with the people here that can help,' she said. Cheng aims to localize IOC mental health resources in Hong Kong During her four-day visit to Lausanne, Cheng participated in a series of expert-led sessions on elite athlete mental health, addressing topics such as eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. More than 30 specialists presented research on mental health trends in high-performance sport. Also read: Yoga offers path to sustainability: WHO regional director Saima Wazed Cheng also co-facilitated workshops during the International Athletes' Forum, held in parallel with the mental health meeting. The forum gathered 300 to 400 athlete representatives globally. 'During this forum, there were five breakout sessions and I, alongside the head of the mental health unit and a clinical psychologist, co-facilitated a workshop for athletes,' she said. Over two days, Cheng led sessions for about 150 participants, discussing the distinctions between mental health and mental illness, signs of psychological distress, and strategies for peer support. 'I feel very privileged to have been in that room, partly because it's a topic that I'm super passionate and interested in myself, and then also having the honor to be one of the athlete representatives as well,' she said. Hong Kong Olympian Camille Cheng has been appointed as one of the International Olympic Committee's first mental health ambassadors. A co-founder of mental health charity Mind the Waves, Cheng aims to adapt the IOC's initiatives to Hong Kong, following her participation in a mental health consensus meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland Olympian Camille Cheng named IOC mental health ambassador , plans Hong Kong advocacy Now 32, Cheng is recovering from ACL surgery and has not competed in over four months. In addition to her Olympic success and six Asian Games medals, she holds a master's degree in industrial-organizational psychology and has expressed interest in pursuing a career in sports psychology. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
Yoga offers path to sustainability: WHO regional director Saima Wazed
In a world facing environmental challenges , yoga offers a path to sustainability by encouraging people to live simply, consume mindfully, and respect the natural world, WHO South-East Asia Regional Director Saima Wazed said on the eve of International Day of Yoga . "In embracing yoga, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a healthier planet," she said in a statement on Friday. The International Day of Yoga, marked annually on 21 June, celebrates this timeless practice that nurtures body and soul, she said. It was first proposed by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Recognizing yoga's universal appeal, he suggested the Summer Solstice - 21 June - as a symbolic date, Wazed said. With 177 UN member states co-sponsoring the resolution, the proposal received overwhelming support, and the day was first celebrated in 2015, starting a global wellness movement, she said. This year's theme, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," reminds us of the deep connection between our well-being and the health of our planet, she added. "Yoga is more than just physical exercise. It is a journey towards inner peace and harmony, and teaches us to listen to our bodies and to live mindfully. As we practice yoga, we become more aware of our surroundings, and more attunes to the rhythm of nature," Wazed stated. "In a world facing environmental challenges, yoga offers a path to sustainability by encouraging us to live simply, consume mindfully, and respect the natural world. In embracing yoga, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a healthier planet," she said. Clean air, pure water, and fertile soil are essential for our well-being. Yoga encourages us to protect these vital resources and ensure a thriving planet for future generations, Wazed said. The benefits of yoga are well-documented, she said. Studies have shown that 77 per cent of people report feeling physically stronger after practising yoga regularly. 82 per cent of patients with chronic inflammation experienced a nearly 50 per cent reduction in inflammation after just six weeks of daily yoga. Yoga can also help mental health, she added. A study by Harvard Medical School found that 60 per cent of participants with depression experienced a significant reduction in symptoms after practising yoga twice a week for eight weeks, Wazed said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
India can step up as Living Laboratory for the world, says Union Minister Chandra Shekhar
New Delhi: Reflecting over India's large population base and its diversity, Union Minister Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, voiced that the country can step up as a"living laboratory" for the world, and offer scalable models for digital transformation of healthcare. Speaking at the inaugural edition of ETHealthworld FutureMed X - The Smart Patient Care Summit, the Minister of State for Communications & Ministry of Rural Development, said the country has the potential to serve as a "living laboratory" for the world. and building on the existing evidence India can develop its own high-quality scalable solutions and drive healthcare digital transformation.' With collaboration between entrepreneurs and the government, we can make this process successful and ensure that our citizens receive healthcare services that meet global quality standards, the minister added. Delivering the Chief Guest address, Dr Chandra Sekhar noted, with record investment in medical education, the country is nearing to achieve the World Health Organisation (WHO) optimal number of doctors and integration of telemedicine has further boosted access to services. Speaking further, the Union Minister stressed that entrepreneurs in the country can explore innovative business models to address healthcare challenges, such as drone-based delivery of essential medicines and mobile vans equipped with trained MBBS doctors and physicians. Advocating for self-reliance, Dr Chandra Sekhar said that India needs to develop its own system and needs to focus on investing in primary and preventive care. By leveraging digital infrastructure and implementing price controls, along with effective workforce planning, the country can overcome existing healthcare challenges, he added. The inaugural edition FutureMed X - The Smart Patient Care Summit designed to discuss and understand the dynamics of AI-driven diagnostics , IoT-enabled healthcare , telemedicine, and data-driven decision-making—paving the way for a more intelligent, connected, and patient-first healthcare ecosystem.
