World No Tobacco Day – This article is specially for smokers.

Tobacco drieth the brain, dimmeth the sight, vitiateth the smell, hurteth the stomach, destroyeth the concoction, disturbeth the humors and spirits, corrupteth the breath, induceth a trembling of the limbs, exsiccateth the windpipe, lungs, and liver, annoyeth the milt, scorcheth the heart, and causeth the blood to be adjusted

  - Tobias Venner, (1577-1660).

Today, 31st May is World No Tobacco Day. It is observed around the world every year on this day and it is intended to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption around the globe. The day is further intended to draw attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to the negative health effects, which currently lead to nearly 6 million deaths each year worldwide, including 600,000 of which are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. The member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) created World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) in 1987. In the past twenty one years, the day has been met with both enthusiasm and resistance around the globe from governments, public health organizations, smokers, growers, and the tobacco industry.

We see it every day, people standing outside; huddled over a burning stick of foul tobacco. The stench gets into their clothes, stains their teeth, and permeates the air around them. Every moment of every day is spent waiting for that next nicotine break, their obsession and taste for this disgusting habit. No Tobacco Day is dedicated to those who are determined to leave this foul substance behind them, and encourage others to do so as well.

No Tobacco Day was established with the goal of raising awareness of the dangers of this habit, and the thousands of lives it costs every year. Tobacco used to be considered an innocuous little treat for the civilized man, and even went so far as to be touted as healthy by business and (doubtless) paid off doctors to help promote it for use. A hundred years and millions of deaths later it’s become undeniable that tobacco use is one of the primary killers of people all over the world.

So if you’re one of the millions of people who light up a cigarette, step out for a cancer stick, or have a smoke, then let No Tobacco Day be your chance for a freer, healthier future. The average smoker spends lots of money every year on cigarettes; imagine what you could do with that kind of money! That’s enough for a nice vacation or buying many useful things for self, family and the house. No Tobacco Day can be your step towards economic freedom as well!

To Celebrate No Tobacco Day, start off by setting aside your cigarettes, and starting the day out with a fresh new perspective that’s tobacco free. Ok, we know that isn’t realistic, so at least start No Tobacco Day by counting the number of cigarettes you smoke in a day, and setting yourself a goal for a gradual reduction in cigarettes until you’re absolutely tobacco free on the next No Tobacco Day! Over the following year you’ll start to feel healthier, have more energy, get sick less, and have more money in your pocket! Wouldn’t that be the greatest celebration ever?