Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 01, 2018 News
Tobacco use has declined markedly since 2000, both globally and in the Region of the Americas. However, the reduction is insufficient to meet global targets aimed at protecting people from death and suffering from cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases [NCDs]. Currently, over a third of the countries in the Americas are not implementing a single tobacco control measure.
The aforementioned has been detailed in a new report released by the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation [PAHO/WHO] just in time for the observance of World No Tobacco Day. World No Tobacco Day is observed annually on May 31 and is intended to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption around the globe.
In recognition of the daunting concerns, PAHO/WHO in a statement yesterday said that “For today’s World No Tobacco Day 2018, WHO has joined with the World Heart Federation and many other allies to raise awareness on the link between tobacco and cardiovascular diseases [CVD], which are the world’s leading causes of death.”
CVD are responsible for some 44 percent of all NCD deaths or 17.9 million deaths annually in the world, including two million deaths in the Americas.
Tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure are the major causes of CVD, including heart attacks and stroke, contributing to approximately three million deaths per year globally, the body noted. However, it was underscored that evidence shows there is an alarming lack of knowledge and awareness that tobacco is a major risk for conditions like stroke and heart attack.
“Political leaders must do more to raise awareness and protect people from the harms of tobacco,” asserted Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“I urge them to join the global movement to promote health and protect people from avoidable suffering and deaths, especially from tobacco use.”
In order to reduce premature deaths caused by tobacco, Dr. Carissa Etienne, Director of PAHO, warned that governments must urgently implement the measures outlined in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control [WHO FCTC].
“Higher tobacco taxes, bans on tobacco advertising and promotion, smoke-free environments in all public and work places, and large and graphic health warnings on tobacco packages can all help improve health.”
The report ‘Global Report on Prevalence of Tobacco Use [2000-2025]’ highlights that tobacco kills over seven million people each year, despite the steady reduction in tobacco use globally. The report shows the pace of action in reducing tobacco demand, and related death and disease is too slow and not keeping up with global and national commitments to control tobacco use.
The report also shows that the target of a 30 percent reduction in tobacco use by 2025, among people aged 15 and older, is not on track to being met at the global level, with the current pace of decline indicating only a 22 percent reduction by that time. However, the Region of the Americas is the only exception; the current projections indicate that the target will be reached by 2025.
In the region of the Americas, tobacco is responsible for 900,000 deaths per year, including 72,000 premature deaths caused by second-hand exposure to tobacco smoke, and associated with 11 percent of the deaths caused by CVD.
The WHO FCTC, which came into force in 2005, calls on its Parties to take several measures to reduce demand and supply for tobacco products. These interventions include protecting people from exposure to tobacco smoke; banning tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; banning sales to minors; requiring health warnings on tobacco packaging; promoting tobacco cessation, and increasing tobacco taxes.
“There is compelling evidence from countries that have implemented tobacco reduction measures, that results can be seen quickly,” stated Dr. Adriana Blanco, Unit Chief of Risk Factors and Nutrition for the Department of Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health at PAHO. “You do not have to wait 10 years to see the impact on a population’s health, especially in relation to cardiovascular diseases. This is why it is so important that countries accelerate the implementation of the FCTC.”
Among the latest findings on the prevalence of tobacco use include the fact that the global prevalence of smokers has declined, but the absolute number of smokers has barely changed since the beginning of this century due to population growth. Added to this, there are 1.1 billion adult smokers in the world today, and at least 367 million smokeless tobacco users.
In the Region of the Americas alone there are 132 million smokers. The prevalence of smokers in the region has declined from 28.0 percent in 2000 to 17.4 percent in 2015.
With regards to smokeless tobacco, it was found that in 2015, 6.5 percent of the global population aged 15 and over used smokeless tobacco [8.4 percent for males and 4.6 percent for females]. For males aged 15 and over globally, 43 percent smoked tobacco in 2000 compared to 34 percent in 2016, while 11 percent of females smoked in 2000, compared to six percent in 2016.
In the Region of the Americas, the prevalence for males in 2000 was 33.4 percent compared to 22 percent in 2015, and, among females, 22.6 percent in 2000 compared to 12.9 percent in 2015.
It has been deduced too that over half of all WHO Member States have reduced demand for tobacco, and almost one in four are likely to meet the 30 percent reduction target by 2025.
But countries must do more to monitor tobacco use in all its forms – not only cigarette smoking.
Currently, one in every four countries has insufficient data to monitor their tobacco epidemic. Worldwide, about seven percent, or just over 24 million children aged 13–15, smoke cigarettes [17 million boys and seven million girls]. About four percent of children aged 13–15 years [13 million] use smokeless tobacco products.
In the Region of the Americas about 10 percent or 4.6 million children aged 13–15, smoke cigarettes [2.4 million boys and 2.2 million girls]. About two percent of children aged 13–15 years [1.2 million] use smokeless tobacco products.
In developing countries, over 80 percent of tobacco smokers live in low- and middle-income countries [LMICS]. It has also been found that the prevalence of tobacco use is decreasing more slowly in LMICs than in high-income countries.
LISTEN HOW JAGDEO WILL MAKE ALL GUYANESE RICH!!!
Apr 24, 2024
Round 2 GFF Women’s League Division One Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Police Force FC on Saturday last demolished Pakuri Jaguars FC with a 17 – 0 goal blitz at the Guyana Football...Kaieteur News – Just recently, the PPC determined that it does not have the authority to vitiate a contract which was... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]