Tobacco the second major cause of death in the world

By Kia Henry Nema Quit smoking is the best thing you can do for your health, future and family. Tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world. It is currently responsible for the death of one in ten adults worldwide (about 5 million deaths each year). If current smoking patterns continue, it will cause some 10 million deaths each year by 2020. Half the people that smoke today—that is about 650 million peo...ple—will eventually be killed by tobacco. Each day in the WHO Western Pacific Region, 3000 people die from tobacco use. In the Pacific PNG has the highest number of smokers. For our adult population the prevalence is 44.0% (males: 60.3% and females: 27.0%). 43.7% of the adults smoke daily (males: 59.9%, females: 27.6%). That means 4 in every 10 adult smoke and the same number of adults smoke daily. For our school aged youths the prevalence of those that ever smoked tobacco is 55.3% (boys: 64.4%, girls: 47.0%. The rate of those that currently use tobacco products is 47.7% (boys: 55.4%, girls: 40.3%). That means 5.5 in every 10 children between 13-15 yrs old smoked tobacco the same number currently use tobacco products. In every single tobacco cigarette it contains 4,000 cancer causing chemicals that will kill its users. Cigarettes are chemically engineered to keep its users hooked to the nicotine. Tobacco companies are canning and deceitful and will make you hooked to their product. No cigarette is ‘safe’. Do not be deceived by the tobacco companies that cigarette is an adult choice. They are trying to sell a product to poison you. This is a disaster waiting to happen. Act Now! to denormalize smoking in your community. It is illegal to smoke in any public places – schools, health facilities, markets, sporting fields, public transport, hotels, clubs and any enclosed places. That is provided for by the Tobacco Products (Health Control) Act 1987. By NOT Smoking you care for your health, your family’s and the community. Let’s make PNG Smoke Free and on the roads towards a happy, healthy and prosperous nation!