Every year, tobacco kills at least 8million people, says WHO
Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja
At least 8million people around the world die every year from smoking, the World Health Organisation (WHO), has said.
The global health body in a statement noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to millions of tobacco users saying they want to quit the habit of smoking.
It revealed that it has launched a one year-long campaign to get at least 100 million people tobacco-free.
While explaining that smokers have a higher risk of contracting coronavirus because they are constantly putting their hands to their lips, the WHO added that they also stand a greater risk of their case being severe because their lung function is damaged.
The WHO said the campaign will help create healthier environments that are conducive to quitting tobacco by advocating for strong tobacco cessation policies, increasing access to support services, raising awareness of tobacco industry tactics, and empowering tobacco users to quit successfully through ”quit & win” initiatives.
Together with partners, the WHO will create and build-up digital communities where people can find the social support they need to quit.
The Middle East has traditionally had a high prevalence of tobacco use. According to the latest WHO figures, about one in five of the UAE’s population smokes (18.5 per cent), while about 16.6 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s population use tobacco. However both countries have introduced a number of measures to reduce prevalence, including taxation on tobacco, which has cut consumption.
The WHO said about 780 million people worldwide say they want to quit, but only 30 percent of them have access to the tools that can help them do so. Together with partners, WHO will provide people with the tools and resources they need to make a successful quit attempt.
“Smoking kills 8 million people a year, but if users need more motivation to kick the habit, the pandemic provides the right incentive,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
WHO released a scientific brief earlier this year showing that smokers are at higher risk of developing severe disease and death from Covid-19. Tobacco is also a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes. Moreover, people living with these conditions are more vulnerable to severe Covid-19.
Both global and regional cessation tools will be rolled out as part of the campaign. WHO’s 24/7 digital health worker to help people quit tobacco is available in English and will soon be released to support people in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish.
WHO Director of Health Promotion, Dr Ruediger Krech, says “Millions of people worldwide want to quit tobacco and must seize this opportunity and invest in services to help them be successful, while we urge everyone to divest from the tobacco industry and their interests,”
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To create environments conducive to quitting tobacco, WHO has worked with partners and countries around the globe to implement tobacco control measures that effectively reduce the demand for tobacco.
The Organization calls on all governments to ensure their citizens have access to brief advice, toll-free quit lines, mobile and digital cessation services, nicotine replacement therapies and other tools that are proven to help people quit. Strong cessation services improve health, save lives and save money.
