NDACC celebrates World No Tobacco Day

The event was held at the Cancer Soceity’s headquarter on Mercy Lane, and attended by several health sector organizations such as the Pan American Health Organization, Diabetes Association of Belize and Ministry of Health.

The event was celebrated under the theme “Tobacco – a threat to development.” The NDACC used the opportunity to educate students and the general public on the dangers of tobacco products.

“It’s been proven that tobacco products contain over 3000 chemicals that are carcinogenic (cancer causing),” explained NDACC director Esner Vellos. “It was timely that we partner with the Cancer society, because of the link between tobacco products and cancer.”

Vellos added that the partnership also highlights how tobacco products threatens economic development, by causing a burden on the health system, given the related conditions that stem from tobacco use.

The World Health Organization and its partners celebrate World No Tobacco Day annually on May 31, as a means of raising awareness of the dangers of tobacco use as well as advocating for effective policies that reduce tobacco consumption.