WORLD No Tobacco Day was observed on May 31, 2022, where the United Nations, WHO and advocacy groups lobbying for the non-use of tobacco, highlighted the ill effects, not only on humans, but also on the planet.
Direct effects of smoking may cause cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Also, the risks for other diseases such as immune disorders, tuberculosis, eye diseases and rheumatoid arthritis are increased.
Second hand smoking contributes to approximately 41,000 adult deaths and 400 infant deaths annually. There are about 16 million surviving smokers, who may have been spared of death but are living a compromised life due to the resultant effects of tobacco smoking, which can be debilitating and sometimes excruciatingly painful even to perform simple daily chores.
Due to excellent marketing campaigns in the past, cigarette and cigar smoking were glamorised in the most sensual and macho manner, which appealed to an impressionable target audience, knowing that once the stimulant was tried, the addictive properties of the nicotine chemical would guarantee continuous business for the tobacco industry. No heed was paid to the detrimental effects on the smoker’s life nor the negative impact on his/her family members and their community circle.
Adverts appealing to young people were referred to as “enslaving tempters”, yet executives of the cigarette industry were not convinced that advertising does influence that target audience to smoke. Recent reports in India indicated the near death experience of a teen after the continuous heavy influence of smoking by the cinema industry.
Numerous less fortunate impressionable young adults had succumbed in India. So, in order to reverse the detrimental effects for this scourge, India assented the Act in 2003, The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution and subsequently strengthened the fight by a ban in advertisements in 2005, mainly in Indian cinematography.
Later in 2012, this strategy proved highly successful that India became the global leader in a tobacco-free entertainment. It was recommended that this model be implemented in other countries, where India would share their lessons learnt. This has influenced the establishment of Article 13 (advertising and promotion) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which dictates that graphic warnings on the effects of cigarette smoking must precede any adverts in the entertainment media whenever there is a depiction of the indulgence of this stimulant. The Act continues to be revised and was last amended in 2020 but there are some new developing concerns about a spin off illicit trade.
However, these legislative enforcements are only the beginning to a tobacco-free environment. A comprehensive and supportive smoking cessation service with a well-designed programme to meet the smokers at their level of nicotine dependence is vital. Quitting smoking initially may cause inconveniences of natural bodily functions which may be compromised such as having a normal motion. Chronic constipation is a notable symptom associated with smoke cessation due to the effects of nicotine on the bowel motion.
There may be other withdrawal symptoms experienced that is why you should have an individual strategic plan with sound reasoning and a psychosocial support network if you are determined to quit. A new replacement activity, like outdoor games or chores, self-care indulgences and also nicotine replacement therapy, either in patches or cartridges, are helpful considerations if required.
Today we see new technological advancement in smoking such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other vaping devices which claim less exposure to fewer toxic chemicals.
However, in 2020 the CDC (Centre for Disease Control) confirmed 2800 plus cases of lung injury and 68 deaths attributed to vaping and e-cigarettes. In October 2021 Johns Hopkins University disclosed thousands of unknown chemicals present in vaping devices, including caffeine, pesticides and flavorings linked to toxic irritations on the respiratory system.
For further pharmacological guidance, contact the pharmacist of Medicine Express PHARMACY located at 223 Camp Street, between Lamaha and New Market Streets. If you have any queries, comments or further information on the above topic kindly forward them to medicine.express@gmail.com or send them to 223 Camp Street, N/burg. Tel #225-5142.