World No Tobacco Day: ‘More people die from smoking than from terrorism’
Experts highlight risks associated with passive smoking as well.
Experts highlight risks associated with passive smoking as well. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Smoking kills 100,000 people across the country every year and the death toll is far greater than those who die from terrorist activities, revealed medical experts on Thursday.
During a press conference at Karachi Press Club, the consultant chest physician of the Aga Khan University and the chairperson of the National Alliance for Tobacco Control, Dr Javaid Khan, said that 32 per cent men and eight per cent women smoke in Pakistan.
“The trend of smoking is declining across the world but it is increasing in Pakistan,” said Dr Khan. “The users of cigarettes are mostly youngsters, who are increasingly smoking sheesha as well.” He disclosed that almost 54 per cent people in the country use tobacco in some form.
“Tobacco is responsible for almost 50 per cent of all cancer cases in the country,” said Dr Nadeem A Rizvi, the president of the Chest Health and Education Society and the head of the chest diseases department at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. “Yet, smoking is still being advertised and portrayed through TV dramas as a cool, glamorous and adventurous act.”
Dr Rizvi urged smokers not to smoke in front of family members, including children. “Chances of cancer increases up to 30 per cent with passive smoking,” he added. “Stay away from smoking and keep others safe as well.”
Passive smoking is a serious health risk to a non-smoker, said Dr Qaisar Sajjad of the Pakistan Medical Association. “All public places and public transport should be made smoke-free in order to protect the health of those who don’t smoke,” he said. Dr Sajjad said that oral cancer is the second largest cancer in Pakistan. “The cases are increasing regularly and, if we can’t take appropriate measures timely, it will climb to number one.” He urged the government to address issues on the preventive side instead of on the curative side.
Dr Sohail Akhter, the president of the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association, requested the corporate sector to strictly ensure ban on smoking in offices. “The educational institutions should also ensure no smoking within campuses,” he added.
Quoting a research conducted by the World Bank, Dr Khan said that increasing taxes by 10 per cent can reduce tobacco consumption by eight per cent in low-income country, such as Pakistan. “Tobacco in any form increases an already extensive risk of heart diseases.” He said that nicotine present in tobacco increases insulin resistance in the body and hampers the control of diabetes.
The health experts demanded the government strictly implement the existing laws, demanding an increase in the prices of cigarettes and banning the imports of betel nuts.
Sharing data from a recent survey conducted in Orangi Town, Dr Khan told The Express Tribune that 30 per cent women in the area use some form of tobacco. “It is an alarming situation,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 30th, 2014.
Smoking kills 100,000 people across the country every year and the death toll is far greater than those who die from terrorist activities, revealed medical experts on Thursday.
During a press conference at Karachi Press Club, the consultant chest physician of the Aga Khan University and the chairperson of the National Alliance for Tobacco Control, Dr Javaid Khan, said that 32 per cent men and eight per cent women smoke in Pakistan.
“The trend of smoking is declining across the world but it is increasing in Pakistan,” said Dr Khan. “The users of cigarettes are mostly youngsters, who are increasingly smoking sheesha as well.” He disclosed that almost 54 per cent people in the country use tobacco in some form.
“Tobacco is responsible for almost 50 per cent of all cancer cases in the country,” said Dr Nadeem A Rizvi, the president of the Chest Health and Education Society and the head of the chest diseases department at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. “Yet, smoking is still being advertised and portrayed through TV dramas as a cool, glamorous and adventurous act.”
Dr Rizvi urged smokers not to smoke in front of family members, including children. “Chances of cancer increases up to 30 per cent with passive smoking,” he added. “Stay away from smoking and keep others safe as well.”
Passive smoking is a serious health risk to a non-smoker, said Dr Qaisar Sajjad of the Pakistan Medical Association. “All public places and public transport should be made smoke-free in order to protect the health of those who don’t smoke,” he said. Dr Sajjad said that oral cancer is the second largest cancer in Pakistan. “The cases are increasing regularly and, if we can’t take appropriate measures timely, it will climb to number one.” He urged the government to address issues on the preventive side instead of on the curative side.
Dr Sohail Akhter, the president of the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association, requested the corporate sector to strictly ensure ban on smoking in offices. “The educational institutions should also ensure no smoking within campuses,” he added.
Quoting a research conducted by the World Bank, Dr Khan said that increasing taxes by 10 per cent can reduce tobacco consumption by eight per cent in low-income country, such as Pakistan. “Tobacco in any form increases an already extensive risk of heart diseases.” He said that nicotine present in tobacco increases insulin resistance in the body and hampers the control of diabetes.
The health experts demanded the government strictly implement the existing laws, demanding an increase in the prices of cigarettes and banning the imports of betel nuts.
Sharing data from a recent survey conducted in Orangi Town, Dr Khan told The Express Tribune that 30 per cent women in the area use some form of tobacco. “It is an alarming situation,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 30th, 2014.