In response to the tobacco industries’ systematic, targeted and sustained tactics to attract a new generation of tobacco users, World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) established by the World Health Organization, has been observed annually and worldwide on May 31st since 1987 . This year, NYC Smoke-Free at Public Health Solutions has partnered with the NYC Cancer Center Collaborative to participate in an all virtual event set to provide culturally diverse counter-marketing information to empower both young and adult New Yorkers to engage in the fight against the tobacco industry. World No Tobacco Day will serve as the kick off to the first ever NYC No Tobacco week, where clinicians, community organizers, healthcare administrators and educators and health officials alike who work within these communities have identified these health disparities and work to reduce the burden of tobacco use.
Additionally, the World No Tobacco Day 2020 global campaign “#TobaccoExposed” will serve to:
- Expose the myths and manipulation tactics of tobacco and related industries, particularly marketing tactics targeted at youth, through the introduction of new and novel products, flavors such as menthol and other attractive features;
- Equip youth with knowledge about the tobacco and related industries’ intentions and tactics to hook current and future generations on tobacco and nicotine products; and
- Empower influencers (in pop culture, on social media and/or at home) to protect and defend youth and mobilize change by engaging in the fight against Big Tobacco.
- It is very clear that smoking and vaping can lead to compromised lung function and smokers are at higher risk for complications of COVID19. In the face of the devastating effects of this pandaemic, we encourage all New Yorkers to take advantage of all the education and resources available to quit for good. Each day is the first day of the rest of your life – why not live it smoke-free.
