World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on 31 May. World No Tobacco Day enlightens the people on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what the World Health Organization is doing to fight against the use of tobacco. And what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations. According to WHO, tobacco use kills more than 8 million people around the world every year. In addition, It causes many types of cancer, as well as heart disease, stroke, lung disease, and other health problems.

Forms of tobacco intake:

1. Cigarette
2. Bidi 
3. Cigar 
4. Tobacco chewing
5. E-cigarette – recent intruder in the list

Affects of tobacco:

Biological

Developmental aspects of adolescent age group include establishing independence and autonomy, forming a coherent self-identity and  adjusting to psycho-social changes associated with physical maturation.

Psychological

Low emotional stability and risk taking behavior are more common in tobacco users. Existence of some mental disorders also increases the risk of tobacco use.

Social and Environmental:

Parental influence, lower education status, attraction towards role models, cultural practices, etc.

Consequences of tobacco use

1. Economic loss
2. Health loss
3. Environmental loss

There are many diseases that occur after any form of tobacco intake like cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory and can cause complications during pregnancy and to the newborn children and many more. 

Many laws are implemented to eliminate the use of tobacco in public places and under-age smoking. However, the age restriction keeps on changing from region to region.

Passive smoking:

Studies show that second-hand smoke can harm you even if you’re exposed for just a moment.

Even if someone smokes indoors, the harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke can stay in the air for hours. You cannot reduce the smoke to acceptable levels, even if you ventilate or filter the air.

Only 100% smoke-free environments can protect you from the effects of passive smoking.

Apart from this, cigarette smoking causes environmental pollution by releasing toxic air pollutants into the atmosphere. The cigarette butts also litter the environment, and the toxic chemicals in the residues seep into soils and waterways, thereby causing soil and water pollution, respectively. Animals and plants that come into contact or absorb the toxic substances from the cigarette residues are affected as well.