Each year, the WHO selects a theme for the day in order to create a more unified global message for WNTD. This theme then becomes the central component of the WHO's tobacco-related agenda for the following year.

The WHO oversees the creation and distribution of publicity materials related to the theme, including brochures, fliers, posters, websites, and press releases.

Themes-List

2010 Gender and tobacco with an emphasis on marketing to women

2009 Tobacco health warnings

2008 Tobacco-free youth

2007 Smoke free inside

2006 Tobacco: deadly in any form or disguise

2005 Health professionals against tobacco

2004 Tobacco and poverty, a vicious circle

2003 Tobacco free film, tobacco free fashion

2002 Tobacco free sports

2001 Second-hand smoke kills

2000 Tobacco kills, don't be duped

1999 Leave the pack behind

1998 Growing up without tobacco

1997 United for a tobacco free world

1996 Sport and art without tobacco: play it tobacco free

1995 Tobacco costs more than you think

1994 Media and tobacco: get the message across

1993 Health services: our windows to a tobacco free world

1992 Tobacco free workplaces: safer and healthier

1991 Public places and transport: better be tobacco free

1990 Childhood and youth without tobacco: growing up without tobacco

1989 Women and tobacco: the female smoker: at added risk

1988 Tobacco or Health: choose health