The theme of World No-Tobacco Day 2024 is, “PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM TOBACCO INDUSTRY INTERFERENCE.’ Youth protection is the main focus this year. As the tobacco industry tries to manipulate the youth through different marketing tactics to attract towards tobacco.
WHO (World Health Organization), campaigns this year to increase the awareness about the dangerous effects of tobacco & to formulate preventive measures to stop or reduce tobacco consumptions, especially amongst the youth.
As per WHO, the number of children using tobacco is as high as 37 million, in the age group of 13 to 15 years. Tobacco contains nicotine & consumption of which makes one highly addictive to it. It affects all the systems of the body like, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastro-intestinal, reproductive, immune system and is a major risk factor to over 20 types of subtype of cancers.
As per WHO, 8 million people die, every year, due to tobacco use. Hence, we should increase the awareness about the dangerous effect of tobacco use and the preventive measures to reduce the consumption of tobacco, more amongst the youth & children, who are more vulnerable to do so.
Effect of smoking/tobacco on the body:
Smoking is very dangerous for our health, as it affects nearly all the systems of our body. Smokers are more likely to develop heart diseases, stroke & lung disease, as compared to non-smokers.
It is a major risk factor for the cardiovascular diseases, stroke, increased blood pressure, increases chances of blood clots, thickening & blockage of blood vessels.
It causes worsening of lung diseases, caused due to smoking. It includes emphysema & chronic bronchitis. It is a major risk factor for over 20 types & subtypes of cancers majorly lung & oral.
Tobacco use can trigger attacks of asthma, in a patient who is a known case of Bronchial Asthma. Smoking in women can increase risk of preterm delivery, still birth, low birth weight, ectopic pregnancy, defects in infants. Smoking in men can affect sperm count, reduce fertility. It can affect bone health, teeth, gums & can lead to tooth loss.
Smoking can worsen other illness like diabetes, HTN, immune system; con cause cataract, darkening of skin & hair loss.
PREVENTION & PRECAUTIONS
- Stop consumption of tobacco in all forms.
- Quit smoking
This will reduce the risk of all the dangerous effects of tobacco, improve the health & quality of life. This is for all age groups & irrespective of the duration of consumption of tobacco.
By Dr. Vinus Taneja, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital
