31 May 2021, Yangon, People’s Health Foundation is celebrating the World No-Tobacco Day 2021, not only on the day but as a year-round event, as follows:
For World No Tobacco Day, 2021, WHO and the Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control are calling countries to prioritize and accelerate tobacco control efforts as part of their responses to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and highlighting the health and other risks associated with tobacco use, and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.
World No Tobacco Day 2021 coincides with a range of global initiatives and opportunities aimed at addressing the tobacco epidemic and its impact of public health, particularly in causing the death and suffering of millions of people globally. The annual campaign is an opportunity to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form. This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.
WHO released a scientific brief earlier this year showing that smokers are at higher risk of developing severe disease and death from COVID-19. Tobacco is also a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes. Moreover, people living with these conditions are more vulnerable to severe COVID-19.
In Myanmar, around 8.1 million people are tobacco users, and at least 40-50% of them have been willing to quit. In 2018 anti-betel chewing media campaign, 60% of betel chewers had expressed their desire to quit.
Therefore, WHO and its Member States are launching a year-long national campaign for World No Tobacco Day 2021 – “Commit to Quit”. This campaign aims to support 4 million people in Myanmar in their attempt to give up tobacco through various initiatives and digital solutions. It will help create healthier environments that are conducive to quitting tobacco by:
- advocating for strong tobacco cessation policies
- promoting increased access to cessation services
- raising awareness of tobacco industry tactics
- empowering tobacco users to make successful attempts to quit through “quit & win” initiatives.
Summary of activities
- Development of WNTD 2021 Kit (Magazine) and related media briefing materials commemorating the WNTD 2021, with the theme of “Commit to Quit”, produce and distribute by July 2021
- Organizing the advocacy activities related to the WNTD 2021, with press and media briefing, by the People’s Health Foundation on any other suitable day, inviting media, public health specialists and interested people on tobacco control.
- Organizing “Best Article Award Competition”, calling papers and poems on the theme of WNTD 2021, and giving the prizes for best 3 papers and 3 poems.
- Organizing “Best Cartoon Competition”, calling the cartoons on the theme of WNTD2021, and giving the prizes for best 3, and competitors should be students of 10-18 years.
- Organizing the “Painting Competition” for Primary School Children from selected townships;
- Printing big vinyl sheets on WNTD2021 theme and distribute to selected townships for display at public gathering areas or road sides or road crossings;
- Organizing “Random Topic Speech Contest” (ကျဗန်းစကားပြောပြိုင်ပွဲ) for high school students, in selected townships;
- Organizing “Quit Tobacco” training to people who want to quit, 10-15 per session, at the Cetana Health Clinics in Yangon, Mandalay, and Pyay; at least 2 sessions per clinics; and also at selected townships (smokefree campaign townships)
- Organizing “Quiz on Tobacco Control” competition using digital format, among social media users, with support from Information and Education Departments;
- Using Global QUIT App, organize Digital Quit Program (as pilot project)
