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Tobacco-A Common Risk Factor for Diseases Worldwide
Filed under: Tobacco
By: Dr Deryck D. Pattron
The Problem:
Tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world. It is currently responsible for the death of one in ten adults worldwide and 5 million deaths per year. It is estimated that if the current smoking pattern continues, some 10 million deaths will occur each year by 2025. Half the people that smoke approximately 650 million will eventually be killed by tobacco.
Tobacco is the fourth most common risk factor for disease worldwide. The high public costs of treating tobacco-caused diseases such as cancer have placed a severe strain on health care institutions and resources. It has been estimated that US$ 200 thousand million in global net loss have been recorded, with at least one third being in developing countries.
How can the tobacco pandemic be curbed?
* Implement health education outreach programs using all available media targeting primary, secondary and tertiary level students and the general public.
* Implement bans on direct and indirect tobacco advertising.
* Ban tobacco smoking in all public and workplaces.
* Introduce tobacco tax and increased prices for tobacco.
* Introduce large clear graphic health messages on tobacco packaging.
* Implement penalties for underage smoking.
* Introduce new legislation or enact existing laws to curb smoking.
* Provide treatment withdrawal centers for people who have stopped smoking.
* Further research is needed to understand the phenomena of tobacco addiction and to translate these findings into clinical therapeutic tools to aid recovery.
* To provide alternatives to the use of tobacco.
* To provide easy access to addiction treatment centers.
Dr Pattron is a Scientist and Public Health Consultant
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