World No Tobacco Day: 31 May 2026

World No Tobacco Day

31 May is World No Tobacco Day. This day highlights the preventable death and diseases associated with smoking tobacco.

Smoking tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of death in the UK. Smoking tobacco is associated with around 80,000 deaths a year and is a major driver of cancer, heart disease and stroke. It also places a significant burden on the NHS and wider economy.

This World No Tobacco Day is focusing on how tobacco industries design their products to get people stuck in a cycle of addiction.

Flavours, sleek packaging, digital marketing and social media campaigns are all deliberate tactics to promote tobacco products as lifestyle choices, rather than products which are addictive and harmful.

The recent Tobacco and Vapes Bill in the UK includes measures to ban the advertising and sponsorship of vapes and nicotine products, as well as powers to restrict their packaging, branding and displays that are designed to appeal to children. This is a historic step towards a smoke-free UK and protecting future generations from the harms of smoking tobacco.

Break the cycle of tobacco addiction on World No Tobacco Day!

The grip of tobacco addiction can be broken with the right support.

Almost 60% of tobacco users wish they could quit. That’s 750 million people worldwide.

With the right support, you CAN make your wish come true.

And quitting is the gift that keeps on giving:

• In 20 minutes, your heart rate drops
• 2–12 weeks, your lung function improves
• 1 year, your risk of heart disease is cut in half

You can overcome addiction. Help is available.

Learn how you can quit tobacco as part of World No Tobacco Day!

Quit smoking with Healthy Lifestyles Gloucestershire

On Friday 29 May, the team from Healthy Lifestyles are visiting Gloucestershire Royal Hospital from 10:00am – 3:00pm.

Come along to the atrium and learn more about their stop smoking services.

• Healthy Lifestyles Gloucestershire can support your quitting smoking tobacco journey with their 12-week quit programme. You will be given expert advice and access to effective and evidence-based nicotine replacement therapy. Make a self-referral today either on their website or by calling 0800 755 5533 today!

NHS Quit Smoking app

The NHS Quit Smoking app is designed to provide you with personalised support to help you quit smoking for good.

The app allows you to:

• track your progress
• see how much you're saving
• get daily support
• get inspired by others

Once you reach 28 days smoke-free, you're much more likely to quit for good!

Use the NHS Quit Smoking app today to help you quit smoking and start breathing easier.

• Find it on the Apple App Store
• Get it on Google Play