MASERU - The World Health Organisation (WHO) and partners will mark World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), to highlight health and other risks associated with tobacco use, and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. The day is marked annually on May 31. Marked every year on May 31, Thaba-Bosiu Blue Cross Centre will also take advantage of the day to heighten its mobilisation towards the passing of the Alcohol Policy Bill in liaison with the Ministry of Health to ensure that substances such as alcohol and tobacco use are regulated in Lesotho. The Blue Cross Community Educator, Mrs. 'Masebueng Majara asserted that they encourage young people to form Youth Clubs so as to discuss issues related to alcohol and drug abuse. The WNTD campaign 2018 will therefore focus 'Tobacco and heart disease', and it is envisaged to increase awareness on the link between tobacco and heart and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including stroke, which when combined are classified as the world’s leading causes of death. A press statement from WHO reveals feasible actions and measures that key audiences, including governments and the public, can take to reduce the risks to heart health posed by tobacco. It further states this year’s WNTD coincides with a range of global initiatives and opportunities aimed at addressing the tobacco epidemic and its impact of public health, particularly in causing the death and suffering of millions of people globally. “These actions include the WHO-supported Global Hearts and RESOLVE initiatives, which aim to reduce cardiovascular disease deaths and improve care, and the third United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of non-communicable diseases, being held in 2018,” reads the statement. Lena