“We reap what we sow... So choose what you nourish carefully”
Tobacco is a product prepared from leaves of Nicotiana plants. Tobacco kills nearly 6 Million people each year. One person dies every 6 seconds from a tobacco-related disease. More than 600,000 non-smokers die each year from second-hand smoke worldwide. Tobacco is a global epidemic and the menace is getting worse rapidly as tobacco industry penetrates the developing world. As a global community we know how detrimental smoking is to our health. Why can’t we stem this growing trend of smoking among youth and emerging market?
This year the theme of World No Tobacco Day is stop the illicit trade of tobacco products. Are you aware 1 in every 10 cigarettes and many tobacco products consumed worldwide are illegal! The illicit trade offers products at lower prices, primarily by avoiding government taxes through smuggling, illegal manufacturing and counterfeiting.
Cheaper tobacco encourages younger tobacco users. In some countries, children from poor household are frequently employed in tobacco farming to provide family income, making them vulnerable to green tobacco sickness.
This year WHO will urge member states to sign a protocol to eliminate the illicit trade. 40 countries must ratify for this protocol to become international law.
Tobacco taxes are the most cost-effective way to reduce tobacco use among young and poor people. It is quite afflicting to know that only 24 countries representing 10% of world population have completely banned all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Hard-hitting anti-tobacco advertisements and graphic park warnings reduce the number of children who begin smoking and increase the number of smokers who quit. Mass media needs to be more vigilant about covering stories on tobacco. Government needs to support global, regional and national efforts to reduce tobacco use, launch robust public health campaigns to raise awareness. These measures are more becoming the cornerstone of WHO framework.
The need of hour is to work distinctively towards creating a society which is free from avarice and malpractices for humanity and ethnicity to prevail.
So say No to Tobacco and Yes to Life.
-Kriti Rai