Tuesday, 31 May is the World Health Organization’s 35th World No Tobacco Day.
This years’ theme is ‘Poisoning our planet’ which focuses on the environmental impact of tobacco, highlighting how tobacco pollutes the planet and damages the health of all people throughout its entire lifecycle.
Many of us are aware of the health concerns with tobacco, however there are also significant environmental issues arising from tobacco from farming through to disposal.
Tobacco farming, and the manufacture, distribution and use of tobacco products have severe environmental consequences, including deforestation, use of fossil fuels, and dumping or leaking of waste products.
With about 90% of tobacco production concentrated in the developing world, much of the environmental burden falls on countries with the least resources to cope with them.
Although we have seen great reductions in tobacco smoking over the past 20 years, smoking remains a leading cause of preventable disease and death in the North Coast region, Australia and the world.
This World No Tobacco Day consider:
- the importance of quitting tobacco and the benefits to your health and environment
- how quitting tobacco can support policy action to ban single use plastics which do include cigarette butts, smokeless tobacco pouches and electronic waste
- how you can support governments around the world to consider additional levies/taxes on the industry to protect the environment
- ways you can advocate for the reduction of tobacco stores, 100% tobacco free schools and raise awareness about the environmental impact of tobacco in your community.
For support to quit smoking chat to your healthcare provider, visit www.icanquit.com.au or call Quitline on 13 7848.