The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) is joining hands with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and its partners to commemorate World No-Tobacco Day on May 31. This collaborative effort aims to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of smoking and promote health consciousness among individuals. Through an extensive campaign, the PHCC, along with its counterparts, intends to disseminate health-related messages, encourage the community to abstain from smoking, and emphasize the importance of seeking assistance from smoking cessation clinics.
The World No-Tobacco Day campaign takes a comprehensive approach by highlighting the impact of tobacco on various facets of society. It begins by shedding light on the cultivation, production, and distribution processes involved in tobacco production. By doing so, the campaign draws attention to the environmental consequences associated with tobacco, such as deforestation and pollution caused by tobacco cultivation and the disposal of cigarette waste. Recognizing the need for sustainable practices, the campaign emphasizes the significance of utilizing agricultural lands for cultivating crops that promote food security, improve nutrition, and contribute to resolving the global food crisis.
Central to the campaign's objectives is the effort to educate individuals about the health risks associated with tobacco use. Smoking is a leading cause of preventable diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular ailments, and respiratory disorders. By raising awareness about these risks, the campaign aims to empower individuals to make informed decisions regarding their health and well-being. Moreover, it calls for the implementation of effective policies and regulations to reduce tobacco consumption and create a supportive environment for individuals who wish to quit smoking.
One of the key strategies employed by the campaign is the dissemination of health messages that emphasize the harmful effects of smoking. Through various media channels, including television, radio, social media platforms, and public service announcements, the PHCC and its partners strive to reach a wide audience and convey the message of tobacco's detrimental impact on health. These messages underscore the importance of embracing a smoke-free lifestyle and encourage individuals to seek assistance from smoking cessation clinics, where they can receive guidance, counseling, and support to quit smoking successfully.
Tobacco use remains a global health concern, with devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities. According to the WHO, smoking is responsible for approximately 8 million deaths each year, with 7 million of those deaths attributed to direct tobacco use, and around 1.2 million deaths resulting from non-smokers being exposed to secondhand smoke. The economic burden of tobacco-related illnesses is also substantial, with healthcare costs and productivity losses amounting to billions of dollars annually.
Efforts to combat tobacco use have seen some progress in recent years, with smoking rates declining in certain regions and countries. However, there is still much work to be done to achieve a tobacco-free world. The World No-Tobacco Day campaign serves as a vital platform to accelerate these efforts by mobilizing governments, healthcare organizations, and communities to take action against smoking. By raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, and providing resources for smoking cessation, the campaign strives to reduce the prevalence of smoking and ultimately save lives.
In conclusion, the collaboration between the PHCC, the WHO, and their partners for World No-Tobacco Day underscores the significance of addressing the global tobacco epidemic. Through a multifaceted campaign, the focus is not only on individual health but also on the environmental impact of tobacco production and the need for sustainable alternatives. By promoting awareness of the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies, this initiative aims to create a world where individuals can live healthier, smoke-free lives. It is a call to action for individuals, communities, and policymakers to work together in the fight against smoking and its devastating consequences on public health and the environment.
The PHCC said that smoking is responsible for about 90 percent of lung cancer cases. There are more than eight million deaths worldwide annually due to smoking, and more than one million and two hundred thousand deaths from passive smoking.
Estimated that the direct and indirect costs of diseases attributable to tobacco are significant, especially on health care systems and governments, as the total cost of smoking is about 1.5 to 6 percent of national health spending and 0.22 percent to 0.88 percent of countries’ GDP.
Regarding the close relationship between smoking and cancer, the Primary Health Care Corporation confirmed that there is a close relationship between the two as smoking is linked to lung cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, and cancer of the mouth, pharynx, and larynx. It added that quitting smoking at any age is associated with significant health benefits for the smoker.
As for electronic cigarettes, it said that one of the dangers of electronic cigarettes is that they contain chemicals that can cause cancer.
