National No Smoking Day will be commemorated on March 9, 2022, on the second Wednesday of March. The day is intended to be used to reach out to friends or family members who are addicted to nicotine. According to research, the percentage of people who still smoke cigarettes — and are not actively trying to quit — is rapidly declining around the world. The stigma associated with smoking, as well as the dangers of first-hand and second-hand smoke, is becoming increasingly severe with time. On National No Smoking Day, however, many people are encouraged to assist others in quitting smoking.
History :
National No Smoking Day began on Ash Wednesday, 1984, in the Republic of Ireland, when the ruling clergy decided that giving up cigarettes for Lent would be a good idea. Between then and now, the holiday has been moved to the second Wednesday of March, which is a more dependable date.
In the 1920s, medical reports began to link smoking to cancer. Extensive studies in the 1950s and 1960s established that tobacco might cause a variety of serious ailments. Due to a rapid rise in the knowledge of the health hazards of both active and passive smoking, smoking became less popular.
The British Heart Foundation, whose members come up with a marketing tagline every year, now organizes the National No Smoking campaign. “Break free!” was the motto in 2010, for example. That year’s television commercials depicted smokers breaking cigarettes rather than smoking them.
Historically, the Republic of Ireland had a large population of heavy smokers, although their numbers have progressively fallen in recent years. 80,000 people quit smoking in the previous three years, according to the annual Healthy Ireland Survey.
According to the World Health Organization, tobacco kills up to half of its users every year, with more than 8 million people dying. More than 7 million people die as a result of direct tobacco use, whereas 1.2 million people die as a result of secondhand smoke exposure. Despite the numbers, government warnings, labeling, age, and location limits all contributed to smoking’s reduction.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL NO SMOKING DAY
1. Quit
There are numerous options available in the United States and the United Kingdom for smokers who have had enough but need assistance quitting. It is not easy to quit smoking for good, but with help from organizations like the CDC (800-QUIT-NOW or 800-784-8669), it is doable.
2. Encourage a loved one who wants to quit smoking
Because no one knows their friends or family members better than they do, it’s best to take a personalized approach to each one. Leaving literature around the house, discarding smokes, loving encouragement, or even nagging are all ways to assist loved ones. The most important thing is to be present for the person as they go through this difficult process.
3. Look for stores that don’t sell cigarettes
The simple absence of tobacco has been shown to help people avoid or overcome addiction. Choose stores that do not sell cigarettes so that you are not tempted to buy them, especially if you have friends or family members who may be hooked.
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