Dhaka: The World No Tobacco Day will be observed in the country on Wednesday as elsewhere across the globe, highlighting the health and additional risks associated with tobacco use, and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.

The theme for this year's day is "Tobacco - a threat to development". The theme will demonstrate the threats that the tobacco industry poses to the sustainable development of all countries, including the health and economic well-being of their citizens.

Every year, on May 31, World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners mark World No Tobacco Day.

According to WHO, over 7 million people die from tobacco use every year, a figure that is predicted to grow to over 8 million a year by 2030 without intensified action.

Some 80 percent of premature deaths from tobacco occur in low- or middle-income countries, which face increased challenges to achieving their development goals.

Each year, tobacco growing uses 4.3 million hectares of land, resulting in global deforestation between 2-4 percent. Tobacco manufacturing also produces over 2 million tonnes of solid waste.

Different anti-tobacco organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes on the occasion.

Adhunik (We Prevent Smoking) arranged a discussion programme at the Jatiya Press Club in the city on Thursday marking the day.

The organisation demanded the government should move from tobacco control to a total ban on its cultivation and banish tobacco companies in phases to achieve a tobacco-freeBangladeshby 2040 as envisioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages highlighting the significance of the day.