Lifestyle

World No Tobacco Day

Reading 5 min Article Intermediate

Vocabulary - 11 Nouns, 2 Verbs & 2 Adjectives

Exercise

Tap all the highlighted words in the transcript below to see their definition. ⇩

Eight million.

That’s how many people die every year from tobacco use.

That’s one person every four seconds.

And the multi-billion-dollar industry responsible for this has no plans of stopping.

World No Tobacco Day

May 31 is known as World No Tobacco Day. The World Health Organization (WHO) established the day in 1987 to raise awareness of the dangerous world of tobacco.

Exposing Big Tobacco

World Tobacco Day 2020 aims to educate consumers—especially young ones—about the unethical marketing strategies of the tobacco industry (called “Big Tobacco”).

These strategies are designed to attract young people. The plan is to get them addicted at a young age and keep them as life-long customers.

Here’s a taste of what they do:

Develop flavours and packaging that appeal to young people
Give out free samples at youth-centred events
Use product placement on TV shows and movies
Sell tobacco products in vending machines

Fighting Back

The WHO wants to put a stop to the manipulation of young consumers.

But how do they plan to do that?

Educating

Through campaigns about Big Tobacco’s tricks and lies, the WHO hopes to guide young people toward educated decisions.

Influencing

From celebrities and social media influencers to family members and teachers, we can all help influence youth to make healthy choices.

Supporting

There are programs available to those who want to quit, including toll-free help lines, text message programs, and counselling. Smokers can find tips and resources on the WHO website.

Smoking facts

Of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users, 60% want to quit. If you’re a smoker, you might be wondering if it’s too late. What’s the point of quitting, anyway?

Well, check this out!

20 minutes after quitting, high blood pressure will decrease.
In just 12 hours, the carbon monoxide in your blood will return to normal levels.
Somewhere between 2 and 12 weeks, your circulation and lungs will begin to work better.
In 1 to 9 months, coughing and shortness of breath will decrease.

Choose health

Whether you’re a smoker or just know someone who is, you can make a difference. Use World No Tobacco Day as a chance to share knowledge, support others, and figure out a healthier path forward!

No Tobacco Day Comprehension

Grammar – Present Simple

We use the PRESENT SIMPLE to speak about routines and habits: things we do every day, week, month, and so on.

Grammar – Present Simple

We use the PRESENT SIMPLE to speak about routines and habits: things we do every day, week, month, and so on.
– She knows just what to do.
– I play tennis on Thursday.
– Matthew reads books at night.
We also use the PRESENT SIMPLE to talk about things which are always true.
– We are family.
– Water boils at 100 C.
– That church is 350 years old.
– Karen lives in California.
We use the PRESENT SIMPLE to talk about things in books, movies, or in a timetable.
– The thief runs from the police officer.
– My plane leaves at 8 o’clock.