World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is celebrated around the world on 31 May each year. 2004 has marked the campaign's seventeenth year of existence. Each year a different theme is selected that aims to educate the general public of the dangers of tobacco use. The theme for WNTD 2004 was tobacco and poverty. The slogan was "Tobacco and poverty: a vicious circle".

The contribution of tobacco to death and disease is well documented. Less attention is given to the ways in which tobacco increases poverty.

Tobacco is the fourth most common risk factor for disease worldwide. The economic costs of tobacco use are equally devastating. In addition to the high public health costs of treating tobacco-caused diseases, tobacco kills people at the height of their productivity, depriving families of breadwinners and nations of a healthy workforce. Tobacco users are also less productive while they are alive due to increased sickness. A 1994 report estimated that the use of tobacco resulted in an annual global net loss of US$ 200 thousand million, a third of this loss being in developing countries.

This year's campaign attempted to show how tobacco and poverty are inextricably linked. Smoking prevalence is higher among the poor and contributes to the continuing poverty of low-income households and countries, because money is spent on tobacco instead of food, education and health care.

For further information, you may visit the WHO site.

Brochures in PDF format are available in English and in French.