On the 31st of May, every year, the world pauses to reflect on one of the most stubborn adversaries of humanity- tobacco consumption. The World Health Organisation’s World No Tobacco Day is not merely a date on the calendar. It is a clarion call, a collective movement of defiance against an addiction that claims nearly 1.35 million lives in India each year. At the India Book of Records, we have always believed that record-breaking is not just about astonishing feats, but also about propelling extraordinary human will toward the collective good. That’s why we stand firmly against the use of tobacco in all its forms.
Over the years, India Book of Records has been privileged to document the journeys of remarkable individuals and organisations who chose to fight tobacco not with creativity, courage, and community. On this World Tobacco Day 2026, India Book of Records brings to you 5 such record stories that didn’t just enter our record books but also set about a movement in motion.
Anti Tobacco Awareness Program Run On Community Radio
When words are spoken out loud, it reaches many. Keeping this idea in his mind, Md. Imran Ali of Nasha Mukti Yuva Sankalp, Bhadrak, Odisha initiated an awareness drive named ‘Anti Tobacco Campaign’ On ‘World No Tobacco Day’, 2017.
As a part fo this campaign he explained its harmful impact on society on 9 community radio stations across Odisha. We are sure that his words must have reached all across the state.
Longest Anti Tobacco Motorcycle Expedition
When trying to make a change, what matters is how many people hear you. How many people were you able to get to? With this singular thought, Madhu Sudan Mishra of Puri, Odisha, along with 3 participants, organised a 4,204.5 km long motorcycle expedition to promote the awareness about the harmful effect of tobacco.
By covering this huge distance, they set the record for undertaking the longest Anti Tobacco Motorcycle Expedition. Together they managed to approach 86,252 students in just 14 days. They began this impactful expedition on November 1, 2015 and concluded on November 14, 2015 at Puri, Odisha.
Most Resolutions Signed In A Day Against Tobacco And Tobacco Products
A movement comes to fruition when the right person decides to take action. And Dr. Satyanarayan Dholpuria, Chief Medical & Health Officer (2014), from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, did just that. He organised an event titled ‘War Against Tobacco- Tambaku Chudao, Yuva Bachao’.
Under this event, he made 3,47,467 voluntary participants take a resolution to quit tobacco and its products, at all VHSC center in Jhunjhuna district, on May 13, 2014. This event set the massive record of most Resolutions Signed In A Day Against Tobacco And Tobacco Products.
Most Students Participated In ‘Say No To Tobacco’ Campaign
The most caused disease as a result of use of tobacco is cancer. To raise awareness on this issue, among young students, Jamnagar Cancer Research Institute along with Rotary Club of Senoras from Jamnagar, Gujarat, organised a Vyasanmukti counseling .
In this session 25,950 students from 256 schools and colleges of Jamnagar district, pledged ‘SAY NO TO TABACCO’ between July 23, 2014 and April 17, 2015.
This major drive successfully set the record for most students participated in ‘say no to tobacco’ campaign.
Largest Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer which impacts the users of tobacco. Especially the ones who consume it in smokeless forms such as khaini, gutkha, betel quid with tobacco and zarda.
Addressing this serious health condition, Public Health Dentistry along with 40 Dentists of Sarjug Dental College and Mata R. Devi Dental Hospital from Darbhanga, Bihar, conducted the largest Oral Cancer screening campaign. As a part of this campaign 1,291 patients were screened for Oral Cancer and also given oral health education about the ill effects of tobacco.
Records That Breathe
At India Book of Records, we document what is extraordinary. And we are proud to say taht in India’s fight against tobacco, the extraordinary is everywhere. From conducting radio shows across 9 districts of Odisha, covering kilometres to spread awareness to conducting oral cancer screening, we are proud of every eefort, every attempt and every record.
If their stories have moved you, let them move you to act. The next record could be yours.
How to set anti-tobacco records?
If you or someone you know have made an attempt to address the issue of tobacco addiction, then you too get your record attempt registered with us. You just have to follow 3 simple steps:
Find Your Talent: Identify how your attempt sends out the message .
Gather Evidence: Provide video evidence, photographs, and witness testimonials to support your claim.
Make It Official: Submit the Record Application Form and take your place among India Book of Record’s most remarkable talents.
Tobacco addiction is one of the world’s most complex and tenacious public health challenges. But we Indians never lack the courage to overcome any hurdle. On this World No Tobacco Day 2026, we honour every individual and institution who chose to make their fight against tobacco a record worth keeping.
