05/28/2026
This coming Sunday (May 31st) is World No To***co Day.
Every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and public health advocates raise awareness about the harmful tactics of the to***co industry and the health risks of to***co use. This year’s theme is “Unmasking the appeal – countering ni****ne and to***co addiction.” This campaign focuses on how the to***co and ni****ne industry continues to reinvent and repackage its products to hook a new generation, particularly children and adolescents, while evading stronger to***co control measures worldwide. At present, companies are marketing new and emerging ni****ne products (e.g., e-cigarettes, ni****ne pouches, and synthetic ni****ne devices). While disguised as “innovation,” these products sustain addiction and recruit new users. These strategies threaten to reverse hard-won gains in to***co control and public health.
Recent gains for to***co control in Hawaii include the passing of several key policies including: SB 2175 (ending the sale of disposable e-cigarettes), HB 1573 (manufacturers must certify FDA-authorized e-cigarette and e-liquid products annually in a published directory), and SB 3076 (to***co enforcement on untaxed e-cigarettes and products). Thank you to the efforts of our Coalition for a To***co-Free Hawaii for making these measures a priority!
At LCHC, it is our mission to assist our community with taking care of their overall health. We encourage our patients to stop using ALL forms of to***co as it is one of the leading causes of preventable disease, disability, and death in the U.S. Please join us this Friday, May 29th, outside of Pine Isle Market from 11 am to 12:30 pm. We will be providing information about our E Hanu Lanai to***co cessation program as well as some free ni****ne replacement therapies to trial to assist you in your quit journey. We are also encouraging all Lanai smokers to take the 24-hr quit pledge this Sunday, May 31st for World No To***co Day as your quit journey starts with day one.
Let’s continue to raise awareness, advocate for stronger policy action, and prevent addiction and reduce demand of to***co products. Let’s take care of our Hawai’i ohana!