#WorldNoTobaccoDay: Tobacco Is One Of The Greatest Public Health Threats Ever - WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has described tobacco as one of the greatest public health threats ever. 

The Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, made the disclosure on the #WorldNoTobaccoDay. 

According to a series of tweets on his Twitter handle, tobacco kills 8 million people yearly. 

Tobacco is one of the greatest public health threats ever! It increasingly targets young people in a bid to replace the 8 million people that it kills every year. This #WorldNoTobaccoDay, @WHO calls on everyone to #SpeakOut! Let's get #TobaccoExposed!https://t.co/r1G9TMTxBi

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) May 31, 2020

He disclosed that every year, the tobacco industry invests over $9 billion to advertise its products.

Tedros calls on countries to put in place strict tobacco control laws as well as regulate products like e-cigarettes that have already begun to hook a new generation of young people. 

He also reminded smokers that they have a higher chance of contracting severe COVID-19, the infection that is currently raving the world.  

WHO called on schools to refuse any form of sponsorship and prohibit representatives from nicotine and tobacco companies from speaking to students while also urging celebrities and influencers to reject sponsorship offers.