World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on May 31. It was first observed in 1987 by the member countries of World Health Organization. The main aim of observing “World No Tobacco day” is to encourage abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption 24/7 around the globe. Furthermore, the day is intended to draw attention towards the increased cultivation of tobacco worldwide and the widespread use of tobacco and tobacco products. It has been reported that the negative health effects of tobacco lead to nearly 6 million deaths every year worldwide, including 600,000 of which are the results of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.

The “World No Tobacco Day” in department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (MMG), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan was planned by the Assistant Professors, Dr. Shafiq-ur-Rehman and Dr. Saira Malik by following the instructions of Prof. Dr. Anjum Nasim Sabri, Chairperson, MMG, and hence the day was observed in its true spirit on May 31, 2016. Faculty members and students participated in observing this day. In order to spread awareness, different posters were displayed and harmful effects of Tobacco were explained by Dr. Saira Malik. All the participants aimed and planned that they will educate people around them about the harmful effects of tobacco and will encourage smokers to help them quit smoking. Additionally, a “No smoking” warning sign was also nailed up in front of MMG building to declare the enthusiasm of the residents of MMG against smoking and hence to declare MMG as a smoke-free department.