Established in 1987 by the World Health Organization (WHO), World No Tobacco Day is an annual event typically observed on May 31st. This year, 2025, is no different under the theme Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products. Our 2025 East Africa Global Fellow, Dr. Lorenta Ojo, highlights the need for us to be change makers in preserving virtues among young people in Namibia to break the cycle of tobacco addiction.
Smoking refers to inhaling and exhaling the smoke from burning tobacco or other substances. It is a primary method of consuming tobacco and is associated with numerous health risks, including respiratory disease, cardiovascular conditions, and various forms of cancer. As of 2022, approximately 20% of adults worldwide were tobacco users, a decline from about 33% in 2000. Tobacco use is responsible for over 8 million deaths annually, with more than 7 million resulting from direct tobacco use and about 1.3 million from exposure to second-hand smoke. An estimated 37 million children aged 13–15 are currently using some form of tobacco.
In 2022, about 11.2% of Namibians aged 15 and over were smokers. This included 19.2% of men and 4.0% of women. Among Namibian youth aged 13–15, 31.1% reported using tobacco products, with rates of 31.9% for boys and 29.9% for girls. Tobacco use accounts for approximately 4.1% of all deaths in Namibia, equating to over 1,000 smoking-related deaths each year and the economic burden of smoking in Namibia is estimated at over 1.18 billion Namibian dollars annually.
Beyond the smoke lies a concealed truth. Picture a realm where the dull pall of tobacco smoke blots out the bright hues of youth. A realm in which the purity of childhood is exploited by companies determined to ensnare the upcoming generation in nicotine addiction. This isn’t a bleak future—it’s the reality we face today. World No Tobacco Day 2025 shines a spotlight on the deceptive tactics employed by the tobacco and nicotine industries. This year’s theme, Unmasking the Appeal, aims to reveal how these industries manipulate product designs and marketing strategies to make harmful products attractive, especially to young people with a purpose to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.
Low-income communities are often targeted due to their limited access to health education and services. I have a story close to home to tell. Amina, a 16-year-old student from Windhoek, Namibia, was introduced to vaping through a social media challenge. The device was sleek, flavored like mango, and seemed harmless. Within months, Amina found herself dependent, experiencing withdrawal symptoms and declining academic performance. Her story is not unique; it’s a narrative shared by countless youths around the world.
I reside in Namibia, and last year, the Oshikoto region celebrated World No Tobacco Day. I was fortunate to be part of the organizing committee for this event held in the Tsumeb district. We invited a former tobacco user turned youth advocate to deliver a speech aimed at the younger generation, highlighting the reasons to avoid tobacco habits. He shared how tobacco had imprisoned him, stealing his energy, money, confidence, and peace of mind; how it affected his breathing; and how it caused him to lose focus in class. I was surprised by the number of youths already engaged in this vice, many of whom seemed reluctant to break the habit. They found enjoyment and satisfaction in vaping and smoking, overlooking the associated drawbacks.
These disadvantages can encompass both immediate and long-term health risks such as addiction, cardiovascular problems, oral health issues, hindered lung development, and lung cancer. Beyond physical health, we must also consider the effects on mental health; substance use has been associated with depression and anxiety, fostering cycles of dependency.
Additionally, there are academic and social ramifications stemming from diminished concentration and memory, involvement with risky peer groups, or behaviors that lead to breaches of school policies and ultimately result in suspensions, disciplinary records, and potential expulsion. Furthermore, there is a heightened risk of trying out other substances, including alcohol, marijuana, or harder drugs (gateway effect). Lastly, the economic strain is significant, as young individuals often allocate money from essential needs, apprenticeship fees, or educational expenses to support their habits. Over time, substance abuse also leads to increased medical expenses and decreased productivity.
What does this year’s theme signify? Through Unmasking the Appeal, our goals are to: Educate by increasing awareness of the tobacco industry’s manipulative tactics; Advocate for tighter regulations on tobacco advertising, particularly those aimed at youth; and protect future generations from the health hazards linked to tobacco and nicotine use.
Through all of this, there is a ‘Call to Action’. We are called to Be the Change. This call is out to everyone. Parents and Guardians are to engage in open conversations with their children about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine products. Educators should incorporate tobacco education into school curricula to inform students early. Youths, use your voice on social media to spread awareness and resist the glamorization of tobacco use and Policymakers, please implement and enforce laws restricting tobacco products’ marketing and sale to minors.
Let’s emphasize the situation. Despite a global decrease in smoking rates, Namibia has seen a minor rise in smoking prevalence, especially among men. This trend highlights the necessity for improved tobacco control strategies and public health initiatives to reduce tobacco use along with its related health and economic consequences. In conclusion, combating tobacco goes beyond personal choices; it involves confronting the systems that sustain addiction.
REFERENCES
- Namibian Sun. (2024, June 19). Namibia reviews tobacco law. https://www.namibiansun.com/health/namibia-reviews-tobacco-law2024-06-19
- Our World in Data. (n.d.). Smoking. https://ourworldindata.org/smoking
- Pan American Health Organisation. (2024). World No Tobacco Day 2025: Unmasking the Appeal. Retrieved from https://www.paho.org/en/campaigns/world-no-tobacco-day-2025
- Vital Strategies & Tobacco Atlas. (n.d.). Namibia country profile. Tobacco Atlas. https://tobaccoatlas.org/factsheets/namibia/
- World Health Organisation. (2024, January 16). Global Tobacco Trends Report 2024. United Nations Office at Geneva Newsroom. https://www.unognewsroom.org/teleprompter/en/2014/global-tobacco-trends-report-who-16-january-2024
- World Health Organisation. (2024). World No Tobacco Day 2025: Unmasking the Appeal. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news/item/11-11-2024-no-tobacco-day-2025–unmasking-the-appeal
- Health Organisation. (n.d.). World No Tobacco Day. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-no-tobacco-day/2025
