Kathmandu — Undeterred by early morning rain, health professionals, medical students, and youth volunteers gathered yesterday for the “Walk the Talk” awareness rally, jointly organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) Nepal and Nepal Health Corps (NHC). The event marked World No Tobacco Day 2025 with a powerful demonstration of commitment against tobacco use, under the theme: Choose Health. Choose Hope. Say No to Tobacco.

The rally commenced from the WHO Country Office in Kupandole and proceeded through the Bagmati Corridor, concluding at the Tribhuvan University Ground in Kirtipur. Participants, including WHO representatives, members of the Nepal Health Corps, and other stakeholders, actively distributed educational pamphlets and chanted anti-tobacco slogans, reinforcing the message about the severe health risks associated with tobacco use.

Transforming the morning into a dynamic, mobile public health campaign, the central message echoed throughout the walk was clear: tobacco remains one of the leading causes of preventable death, and efforts at every level are essential to mitigate its impact.

The event featured a brief address by the Director General of WHO Nepal, who commended Nepal Health Corps for its sustained efforts in tobacco control, particularly their engagement of youth and awareness promotion within school communities. The rally also included impactful performances by NHC Ambassadors, highlighting tobacco’s devastating effects on individuals and society.

Since February 2025, Nepal Health Corps, a youth-led public health organization, has been leading a nationwide anti-tobacco campaign. So far, the campaign has reached nearly 6,000 students across 62 schools in all seven provinces, aiming to instill early awareness of tobacco’s dangers.

This meaningful journey not only raised awareness about tobacco’s harmful effects but also emphasized the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Today’s rally stood as a visible pledge against tobacco and a testament to how community-led initiatives, supported by national and global partners, can drive transformative public health change in Nepal.