cigarettes
According to the WHO, tobacco causes over five million deaths world wide which is likely to increase to 8.4 million if the situation is not brought under control. (Representative Image)xvaughanx/Flickr

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said World No Tobacco Day was a day to "reaffirm our commitment" to reduce the menace of tobacco consumption.

"World No Tobacco Day reminds us of the harms associated with tobacco consumption and a day to reaffirm our commitment to reduce this menace," he said in a tweet.

The prime minister added that the World Health Organisation's (WHO) "focus on stopping illicit trade of tobacco products is a laudatory effort that will help in minimising tobacco consumption".

According to the WHO, tobacco causes over five million deaths world wide which is likely to increase to 8.4 million if the situation is not brought under control.

31 May is observed as World No Tobacco Day.