WE AND WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY 2012

WE AND WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY 

PROF WAQAR HUSSAIN

           Since 1987, May 31^st is observed all around the world as World No Tobacco Day .The prime objective of the day is abstinence from all types of tobacco use. It is also meant to draw worldwide attention about the hazardous health effects of tobacco. This year’s theme is ‘tobacco industry interference’ with a purpose to expose and counter tobacco industry’s brazen and offensive attempts to undermine the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Tobacco is mostly used in the shape of cigarette apart from other forms like gutka, green niswar, red niswar, betel nut, beri, cigar, hubble bubble, sheesha,etc.Tobacco causes cancer, heart disease and many other ailments, making it second major cause of death worldwide and about 56% of smokers are at the risk of premature death.

            Last century, tobacco epidemic killed 100 million people worldwide. Tobacco is one of the leading preventable causes of death. About 6 million people die annually including 0.6 million second hand smokers. According to WHO, global tobacco epidemic by 2030, there will be more than 8 million death every year unless urgent action is taken.

            THE NATIONAL HEALTH SURVEY OF PAKISTAN SAYS THERE ARE 30 MILLION(25% ARE FEMALES) SMOKERS IN PAKISTAN WITH HALF OF THEM FALLING IN AGE BRACKET OF 25 TO 44.AND I LAKH PEOPLE DIE EVERY YEAR DUE TO TOBACCO USE.

            In Pakistan, smoking mostly leads to cancer of oral cavity, voice box, lungs and upper esophagus. Apart from these, tobacco smoke pollute the air by fine particles called PM^2.5.In non-smoking venues PM^2.5 value was 101ug/m²,in hotels and restaurants, it was 600 and in sheesha smoking place, it was 1745.whereas, WHO has marked the maximum limit of PM^2.5  up to 250ug/m².

              Lung cancer(40% of cancer of male is associated with tobacco) is the main cause of deaths followed by mouth cancer, cardiac arrest, pneumonia and many other maladies. Tobacco smoke contains nicotine (an alkaloid), carbon monoxide, carbon particles and many carcinogenic agents which not only harm smokers but also those around them. It is embarrassing that not only smokers but scores of non smokers die every year due to passive smoking so for the safety of non smokers, an ordinance “prohibition of smoking and protection of non smokers'' was promulgated in 2002.This law restricts public place smoking, checks ads and prohibits sale of cigarette to minor, below 18 year of age. Unfortunately this law is largely unimplemented and openly defied. For proper implementation of law, first public awareness campaign is required showing harmful effects of tobacco then strict observation of law is required.For instance, the Sind Assembly banned sheesha smoking at public places; people started buying for their houses. Sheesha was selling at Rs 500 after ban, it soured to Rs.1500 and astonishingly people are buying it happily.It shows people are to be educated first. Sheesha smoking has become very popular these days; it is more dangerous form of smoking. Dr Azhar Shafi rebuked that sheesha is very fatal for health as its taking for one hour is more injurious than the smoking of thousands of cigarettes.

           Smoking has been conditioned with glamour and mark a symbol of independence, maturity, performance enhancer and prosperity. In women, it is considered as a sign of liberty, gender equality, broad mindedness and modernism. Youth often fall a prey to smoking so awareness campaign should target the youth. A regular non smoking campaign on electronic and print media should be launched. The glamorous, heroic ads which "conditions" heroism with smoking should be banned. Celebrities, a role model of youth, should not only quit smoking but also convey anti smoking feelings. Still more, tobacco hazards should be a part of syllabus and regular anti smoking program should be conducted in educational institutions. Administration of school and colleges should ensure complete abstinence from smoking in their premises. Debates, essay competition, walks, souvenirs sale, display in educational institutions--all by the students to be conducted. T-shirts having anti smoking slogans like "Smoking is suicide”, “Smoke but don't exhale”, “Tobacco tarnishes teeth”, “Smoking sucks soul”, and etc. should be poured in market on nominal prices for the youths. Smoking should be portrayed as abominable act and should be condemned for its cosmetic effects. The younger people are conscious about their beauty and outlook and not about their health. It is a maxim; youth has no concept of death. Obnoxious smell, tarnished teeth, grey dried lips of smokers put an end to cosmetic display of a personality. Furthermore most of women and children dislike smoking.

          Marginalization of tobacco industry is another step to control smoking. At present, tobacco industry is producing 107000 tons of tobacco each year. Thus it contributes about Rs.36 billion to the coffer of national exchequer so this industry is a major source of revenue for the government and media. So it is feared that it might get some space for this fiscal aspect. Astonishingly, Tobacco industry has responded positively to mandatory printing of pictorial health warning on cigarette pack . Now a comprehensive ban on 10-stick pack should be a vital step in curtailing tobacco tendency in the youth as this mini pack is very popular among them. As said earlier youth should be the main target. According to the Nation, 15 billion smuggled and duty unpaid cigarettes are sold annually in Pakistan. This illicit trade not only causes loss to national exchequer but also undermine public health agenda as these tobacco product fail to comply with regulation issued by the Ministry of Health. Pakistan is 5th country in the world and 26th country in the world to introduce pictorial health warning on cigarette pack yet smoking is on the up in Pakistan whereas it is declining in the west. So, there is need to launch a massive anti tobacco campaign along with legislation to curtail this menace to a manageable level. Youth specific campaign is sure to meet coveted results.