Killing around 8 million people every year, estimated 1.2 million have died from second hand exposure, the tobacco epidemic is one of the greatest health threats the world has faced. Despite awareness campaigns and efforts to curb smoking, the number of smokers greatly increased, which contributed to a surge in tobacco related health issues and deaths. Second-hand smoke is the smoke that comes from the burning end of a cigarette, and is exhaled by the smoker. Over 4000 chemicals have been found in tobacco smoke, and there is no safe level of exposure. The World Health Organizations research has found that the only safe space is a 100% smoke free environment. The World health organizations response was:
“The scale of the human and economic tragedy that tobacco imposes is shocking, but it’s also preventable. The tobacco industry is fighting to ensure the dangers of their products are concealed, but we are fighting back. In 2003, WHO Member States unanimously adopted the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). In force since 2005, it has currently 182 Parties covering more than 90% of the world’s population.
In 2007, WHO introduced a practical, cost-effective way to scale up implementation of the main demand reduction provisions of the WHO FCTC on the ground: MPOWER.
The 6 MPOWER measures are:
- Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies
- Protect people from tobacco use
- Offer help to quit tobacco use
- Warn about the dangers of tobacco
- Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship
- Raise taxes on tobacco.”
By continuing to bring light to the numerous health consequences of tobacco use, and educating the youth about the dangers of smoking, we can help keep future generations safe from this deadly and costly addiction.
Reference: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco
