EXPLAINER: What you need to know about World No Tobacco Day

Launched in 1987, World No Tobacco Day draws attention to the devastating impact of tobacco on public health.

According to the WHO, tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, including over one million non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke.

The day serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for governments, institutions, and individuals to take action.

Each year, the campaign is centered around a specific theme.

These themes address different aspects of tobacco control, from environmental damage to youth-targeted marketing, taxation, and the tobacco industry's influence on policy-making.

This year’s theme is 'Bright products. Dark intentions. Unmasking the Appeal'.

It focuses on highlighting the hidden dangers of tobacco products that come in appealing flavours and packaging.

In recent years, WHO has also focused on combating the rise of new tobacco and nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes and vaping devices, which are often marketed as safer alternatives despite health concerns.

The day also promotes practical solutions, including raising taxes on tobacco products, enforcing smoke-free public spaces, banning tobacco advertising, and supporting smokers in their efforts to quit through cessation programs and public education.

The observance is not just about raising awareness, it is a call to action.

It challenges governments to prioritise tobacco control in public health agendas and encourages individuals to make informed choices that protect their health and the well-being of those around them.

World No Tobacco Day is a reminder to everyone that a tobacco-free future is possible, and necessary, for healthier communities and a healthier planet.

2025 theme and its Significance

According to WHO, one of the primary public health challenges today is the attractiveness of tobacco, nicotine, and related products, particularly to young audiences.

It says the industry consistently tries to find ways to make these products appealing by adding flavours and other agents that change their smell, taste, or appearance.

“These additives are designed to mask the harshness of tobacco, thereby increasing its palatability, particularly among young people,” it says.

Other tactics include glamorised marketing where sleek designs, attractive colours, and alluring flavours are strategically used to attract a younger demographic, including through digital media channels.

Companies also use deceptive designs such that some products mimic sweets, candies, and even cartoon characters, items that children naturally find appealing.

Coolants and additives that can make the experience smoother, increasing the likelihood of continued use and reducing the chance of quitting, is another tactic.

“These tactics can contribute to early initiation of smoking or nicotine use, with potential lifelong addiction and health consequences,” says WHO.

“By making these products more attractive, the industry not only boosts their immediate consumer base but also makes quitting harder, prolonging exposure to harmful substances.”

Sustained campaign

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale stressed the need for sustained vigilance in combating tobacco and curbing harmful industry practices, affirming its commitment to a tobacco-free future.

“The health of our future generations depends on our ability to expose and counter the tobacco industry’s predatory strategies,” Duale said Thursday in Nairobi.

He stated that the government is uniting to unmask and dismantle the manipulative tactics of the tobacco industry, especially those that prey on our youth.

“This is not just a health issue; it is a national development priority.”

According to the 2022 Tobacco and Drug Abuse Survey (TADSAS), tobacco use among adults aged 15 to 65 has declined to 8.5 per cent, down from 11.6 per cent in 2014.

There has been an 8 per cent drop in tobacco use from 12% in 2014 to 9% in 2022.

Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said Kenya continues to enforce the Tobacco Control Act of 2007, which mandates graphic health warnings on cigarette packages and bans smoking in public places.

Duale noted that at the grassroots level, the Tobacco-Free Farms Initiative has made a marked difference by enabling farmers in Meru, Migori, Bungoma, and Busia counties to transition to alternative, more sustainable livelihoods, thereby shrinking the tobacco supply chain.

However, despite these gains, challenges persist, with reports indicating that more than 650,000 adolescents aged 10 to 17 have experimented with tobacco or nicotine products.

Kenya now faces new challenges with the rapid proliferation of Novel Nicotine and Emerging Tobacco Products (NNETPs), such as nicotine pouches, vapes, and electronic cigarettes. 

These products are often marketed as less harmful alternatives to traditional cigarettes and target young people with appealing flavors and misleading health claims.