In an effort to raise awareness of the risks of tobacco, NMC Healthcare is actively participating in making this day a success by displaying posters on the ill-effects of consuming tobacco and smoking. The objective of observing World No Tobacco Day is to draw public attention on the need to take effective measures to prevent tobacco consumption which can lead to deadly diseases like cancer and early death.
Every year on May 31, countries worldwide observe World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) that is promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO). The theme of World No Tobacco Day 2012 is “tobacco industry interference”.
According to the World Health Organization, young people who smoke may develop respiratory and non-respiratory effects, addiction to nicotine, and shortness of breath. They could have a lower level of lung function and reduced rate of lung growth compared to those who have never smoked.
Tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of death. The global tobacco epidemic kills nearly 6 million people each year, of which more than 600,000 are people exposed to second-hand smoke. Unless we act, it will kill up to 8 million people by 2030, of which more than 80% will live in low- and middle-income countries.
Recent studies have shown that smoking rates have risen at to an alarming level in the UAE. 24.3% of males between the ages of 13-15 are currently smoking tobacco products while as many as 42% of 17 year old males have developed smoking habits. Of the total male adult population in the country, 20% are smokers. (Source – report from a newspaper)