World No Tobacco Day
As part of the sustainable development goals SDG 3 is “to ensure healthy lives and promote well being for all ages’. Having one of its targets as to ‘Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate.’
Facts about Tobacco
Tobacco kills more than 7 million people each year. More than 6 million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while around 890 000 are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.
Around 80% of the world’s 1.1 billion smokers live in low and middle-income countries.
It’s the leading cause of death and illnesses and poverty.
In some countries, children die from ‘green tobacco sickness’ when working on tobacco farms in other to provide for family income.
Surveillance is key in eliminating tobacco use.
Second hand smoke from tobacco kills:
– It contains more than 4000 chemicals, and at least 250 are known to be harmful
– Causes serious cardiac diseases, coronary heart disease and lung cancer
– In pregnant women it causes low birth weight babies
– Children’s health at risk by breathing in second hand smoke from people around killing the younger generation
Tobacco users need help to quit
Pictures campaigns and media helps.
Bans on tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship.
Stopping illegal trade with strong enforced rules.
The 6 MPOWER measures by WHO are:
• Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies
• Protect people from tobacco use
• Offer help to quit tobacco use
• Warn about the dangers of tobaco
• Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship
• Raise taxes on tobacco.
How to quit chewing tobacco
1. Make the decision to quit
2. Choose your quit date
3. Start cutting down
4. Talk to your doctor
5. Expect some withdrawal symptoms
6. Have a support team
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TOBACCO BREAKS HEARTS!
