31 May Say No to Tobacco. Save your Health, Wealth, and Even that Cigarette
Amidst the pandemic, there’s been an epidemic prevalent for years that kills more than 8 million people a year globally – it’s called TOBACCO.
Did you know tobacco is one of the leading causes of “preventable” death in the world today? Smoking is responsible for about 1 in 5 deaths annually in the United States. Not only does it kill the direct user, but about 1.2 million people also die as a result of being exposed to second-hand smoke. On average, the life expectancy of a smoker is ten years less than a nonsmoker.
While cigarette smoking is the most common, people consume tobacco in many forms like water-pipe tobacco, cigars, cigarillos, roll-your-own tobacco, pipe tobacco, bidis, and kreteks – all forms being extremely harmful.
World No Tobacco Day, celebrated on 31st May every year, is an effort to encourage all people to abstain or quit using tobacco by making them aware of the ill effects of tobacco consumption. It’s a global holiday created by the World Health Organization in 1987. This year, we celebrate World Tobacco Day with simple nudges that help create a community that says NO to Tobacco and says Yes to Health & Wealth.
According to Nudge expert Richard Thaler, when people are given clear options, they make better choices. Using nudges, we can get people to ‘kick the butt’ themselves without manipulation, without pressure, while keeping their right to choose intact.
Simple Nudges to Help Achieve that:
Commit to Quit, Expand your wallet.
While an average American spends $2,292 per year on smoking, when you “Commit to Quit,” you save for a weekend getaway or a present you can pamper yourself with!
Charity or Vanity Jar.
Keep a jar at home labeled charity or vanity. For each time the smoker refrains from smoking, ask them to add a dollar to the jar. If they break the habit, you donate the money to charity. The motto is simple – If you manage to ‘exercise the willpower muscle, reward yourself with a present.’
“REESE” ON to Quit Tobacco
Each time your loved one or you don’t indulge in tobacco, reward yourself with a REESE or any chocolate you enjoy.
Quit to be Fit
By quitting tobacco use, even for one day, a user takes an important step toward a healthier life, furthermore reducing their cancer risk.
Subtract Tobacco, Add More heartbeats.
When you stop tobacco, you see a good drop in your heart rate and blood pressure. The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal within 12 hours of quitting, and in 2 to 12 weeks, your lung function increases.
You also stop hampering the lives of 1.2 million people who die of passive smoke consumption.
Breathe Better, Quit Tobacco the Trickster.
When you walk out of the clutches of tobacco usage for 1 to 10 months, your lung function improves, coughing and shortness of breath decrease, and in over a year, you reduce your risk of heart disease too. Choose health over the terror of diseases.
Grow Trees, not Tobacco Farms
Tobacco manufacturing creates more than 2 million tons of waste & contributes between 2% and 4% of the world’s deforestation. Let’s help create a better environment by growing more trees and fewer tobacco farms.
On World Tobacco Day – we hope you, too, stick to the theme of ‘Commit to Quit’ by kicking the tobacco butt to the curb!