World No Tobacco Day: Ways in Which Tobacco is Affecting Your Health

Whether you are a chain smoker, smoke a few cigarettes occasionally, or are exposed to passive smoking, the chances of heart disease are high in every case. Smoke from tobacco may cause narrowing of blood vessels, plaque to build up, resulting in the formation of blood clots which restrict blood flow and damage the arteries of the heart and eventually lead to strokes and heart attacks. To inform people of the dangers of smoking tobacco, World No Tobacco Day is observed every year on May 31. Marked by the WHO, World No Tobacco Day is one of its 11 official global public health campaigns. 

There’s no doubt that smoking tobacco affects the person smoking it but it also severely harms the environment and the overall health of the planet. Just a single smoker contributes to over 5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and over 24,000 metric tons of methane to the planet every year, while simultaneously causing deforestation, soil erosion, soil degradation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity to say the least. 

Significance of World No Tobacco Day 

Back in 1987, to mark the 40th anniversary of the World Health Organisation, the World Health Assembly selected World No Tobacco Day to be celebrated on April 7, 1988, its objective being to encourage people around the world to stop chewing or smoking for just 24 hours. 

Then in 1988, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution for the celebration of WNTD on May 31 every year. In 1998, Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI) was established by the WHO to focus the attention of the world and international resources on this global health concern. 

World No Tobacco Day 2022 Theme

This year’s theme for WNTD is “Protect the environment”. It gives you yet another reason to quit smoking. This theme highlights that tobacco damages the health of people, not just those who smoke but also those who smoke passively, and thereby affects the health of the planet. This theme also aims to expose tobacco companies marketing themselves as environmentally friendly by trying to greenwash their reputation. 

Did you know that most of the people who smoke want to quit? 

Why is It Difficult to Quit Smoking?

The Nicotine present in tobacco, when consumed in small quantities, distracts the user from unpleasant feelings and causes pleasant ones. This makes them want to use it more. It plays with the chemistry of the brain, affects the mood of the user, and interferes with the central nervous system. Nicotine is like an addictive drug, which triggers the same effects as dopamine, also known as the “happy hormone.” Dopamine is one of the four happiness-boosting hormones which results in feelings of well-being. 

Even though people know that smoking affects their health and the health of those around them, they find it difficult to stop smoking. This is the true mark of addiction. 

More than 8 million people lose their lives every year due to smoking and over a million non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoking lose their lives each year too. Also, it’s well known that smoking causes cancer. Most lung cancers are caused by smoking. Cancer from smoking can be anywhere on the body- the stomach, liver, mouth, tongue, kidney, penis, and vulva, among other areas. 

Other than cancer, there are tobacco diseases and other health risks of smoking, namely: 

1. Smokers suffer from chronic respiratory conditions and breathing problems.  Smokers are also exposed to an increased risk for asthma. Asthma worsens in regular active smokers. 
2. Smoking is a major cause of strokes and heart diseases as it increases the risk of blood clots, which block blood flow to the brain, heart, and legs. 
3. Smoking causes dental problems and increases the risk of gum diseases, tooth sensitivity, and tooth loss. 
4. In Australia, smoking is the main cause of blindness as it damages the eyes as well. 
5. Smoking may lead to loss of hearing as it reduces the flow of blood to the inner ear. Active smokers may suffer from hearing loss earlier than non-smokers. 
6. Smokers are more likely to suffer from viral and bacterial infections as it weakens the immune system. 

Ways to Stop Smoking

Listed below is a list of ways that may encourage you to stop smoking: 

1. Be Mindful of the Number of Cigarettes   

Start keeping a tab on the number of cigarettes you smoke every day. It may trigger you to think about the amount of money you spend on smoking and about the fact how you are putting your health at risk. 

2. Try Not to Begin

The best way to quit is to never start. Try your best to keep away the people you care about and the younger generation from smoking because most people who started smoking did so when they were teenagers and under peer pressure. According to the Surgeon General’s Report (SGR) of 2014, 75% of high school students who start smoking will continue smoking into their adulthood. 

3. Poverty 

The majority of deaths due to tobacco consumption happen in middle and low-income countries. In short, poor people are affected the most. 

4. Remembering That Smoking Causes Infertility

Smoking may cause erectile dysfunction and is known to negatively affect sperm count, the shape of sperm, and motility. More reasons to quit!

Benefits of Quitting

Quitting benefits are almost immediate. Within the first 12 hours, the level of carbon monoxide in the blood drops to normal levels. Within the next couple of weeks, lung function increases, and blood circulation improves. Within 6 months from then, shortness of breath and coughing decreased. Within 5 years, the risk of having a stroke reduces to the same levels as that of a non-smoker. Within 10 years, the risk of developing  lung cancer comes down to half as compared to that of a smoker. Within 15 years, the risk of suffering from heart disease is similar to that of a non-smoker. 

Conclusion  

Smoking leads you to believe that it’s a stress reliever but it does more harm and no good to your body. As mentioned above, it has a ton of drawbacks and no real benefit. So, if you are a smoker, consider quitting. And if you are someone who’s looking to start, don’t. Find some other way to release that stress without harming your health, the health of your loved ones, and the health of the planet. Let’s celebrate World No Tobacco Day and look forward to a smoke-free future.