As the World Health Organisation (WHO) and partners celebrate World No Tobacco Day 2019, they have identified different ailments associated with tobacco smoking, and why it is necessary for non-smokers to protect themselves from second-hand smoke, which is equally very dangerous to lung health.
May 31 of every year is the day set apart to commemorate this event, and it is usually geared towards raising awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form.
The apex health institution data shows that tobacco kills one person every 4 seconds, and it is deadly in any form as it threatens the lung health of everyone exposed to it.
The theme of this year’s World No Tobacco Day celebration, according to WHO’s statement is “tobacco and lung health”, and the campaign will increase awareness on: the negative impact that tobacco has on people’s lung health, from cancer to chronic respiratory disease, as well as enlighten people on the fundamental role lungs play for the health and well-being of all people.
“The campaign also serves as a call to action, advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption and engaging stakeholders across multiple sectors in the fight for tobacco control”, the statement noted.
Enlightening the public on the dangers of second-hand smoking, experts revealed that it is the combination of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke breathed out by smokers. And available records have shown that second-hand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic and about 70 can cause cancer.
The medical experts maintained that there is no risk-free level of exposure to second-hand smoke, as it has been established that it can numerous health problems in infants and children, including more frequent and severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Again, studies have also found that smoking during pregnancy results in more than 1,000 infant deaths annually, and some of the health conditions caused by second-hand smoke in adults include coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.
On the way forward for smokers, who are ready to quit and preserve their lives and lungs, some tips have been stated by experts to help them quit smoking. They are:
- Find your reason. To get motivated, you need a powerful, personal reason to quit.
- Prepare before you go ‘Cold Turkey’ .
- Consider nicotine replacement therapy.
- Learn about prescription pills.
- Lean on your loved ones.
- Give yourself a break.
- Avoid alcohol and other triggers.
- Clean house.
 and partners celebrate World No Tobacco Day 2019, they have identified different ailments associated with tobacco smoking, and why it is necessary for non-smokers to protect themselves from second-hand smoke, which is equally very dangerous to lung health.){kind=link}