Global Tobacco Epidemic 2023
Source: Indian Express
GS II: Health
Overview
- News in Brief
- About the Report
- Impact of Tobacco smoking
Why in News?
World Health Organisation (WHO) recently released a report on the implementation of tobacco control measures.
News in Brief
- The ninth WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic tracks the progress made by countries in tobacco control since 2008
- It marks 15 years since the introduction of the MPOWER technical package which is designed to help countries implement the demand-reduction measures of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
- The report shows that many countries continue to make progress in the fight against tobacco, but efforts must be accelerated to protect people from the harms of tobacco and second-hand smoke.
About the Report
- Smoking worldwide has decreased, with 300 million fewer smokers today than in 2007.
Image by Kevin Phillips from Pixabay - The prevalence of smoking has gone down from 22.8% in 2007 to 17% in 2021.
- The implementation of MPOWER measures has made significant progress, with at least one measure protecting over 5 billion people, which is 71% of the global population.
- The number of countries implementing at least one MPOWER measure has increased from 44 in 2008 to 151 in 2022.
- It’s worth noting that only four countries Brazil, Turkey, Netherlands, and Mauritius have implemented all measures.
- There is a warning from the World Health Organization against the aggressive promotion of e-cigarettes as a safer option for youth.
- Passive smoke exposure is linked to various health issues and over 1 million non-smoker deaths each year.
- OTT Platforms
- To mitigate the harmful effects of smoking, it is highly advisable to implement precautionary measures on over-the-top (OTT) platforms.
- This should include the imposition of stricter enforcement policies, prohibition of loose cigarette sales, and higher penalties for violators.
- Moreover, it is crucial to eliminate tobacco advertising as much as possible to discourage its consumption.
- Efforts must also be directed toward reducing passive smoking by creating more smoke-free public areas and launching awareness campaigns.
- These measures can go a long way in safeguarding people’s health and reducing the prevalence of smoking-related illnesses.
India in the report
- India is doing well in terms of health warning labels and treatment for tobacco dependence and has banned the sale of e-cigarettes.
- In Bengaluru, there has been a 27% decrease in smoking in public places due to enforcement and communication efforts.
Impact of Tobacco smoking
Tobacco smoking has a significant and far-reaching impact on both individual health and public health. It is one of the leading causes of preventable death and disease worldwide.
Key impacts of tobacco smoking
- Health Risks: Tobacco smoking is a major risk factor for various health conditions, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, stroke, respiratory infections, and other cancers (e.g., mouth, throat, esophagus, pancreas, bladder). Smoking damages nearly every organ in the body and is responsible for a wide range of serious health problems.
- Lung Diseases: Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, which is one of the most common and deadliest cancers globally. It also contributes to the development of COPD, a progressive and debilitating lung disease characterized by difficulty breathing, chronic cough, and reduced lung function.
- Cardiovascular Diseases: Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. It increases the risk of atherosclerosis (narrowing and hardening of arteries), leading to reduced blood flow to vital organs.
- Respiratory Issues: Smoking damages the respiratory system, leading to chronic bronchitis and increased vulnerability to respiratory infections such as pneumonia and influenza.
- Secondhand Smoke: Secondhand smoke, also known as passive smoking, is the inhalation of smoke by non-smokers from the burning tobacco products of others. It poses serious health risks, particularly to children, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
- Impact on Pregnancy: Smoking during pregnancy is associated with numerous adverse outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, and developmental issues in children.
- Economic Burden: The economic burden of tobacco smoking is substantial, encompassing healthcare costs for treating smoking-related diseases, loss of productivity due to illness and premature death, and the impact on families and communities.
- Social and Environmental Impact: Smoking can have social consequences, including stigmatization, social isolation, and strained relationships. It also contributes to environmental pollution through cigarette butt litter and air pollution from tobacco smoke.
- Addiction and Dependency: Tobacco contains nicotine, a highly addictive substance. Smoking can lead to nicotine dependence, making it challenging for individuals to quit despite knowing the health risks.
- Health Inequities: Tobacco smoking disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including individuals with lower socioeconomic status, certain racial or ethnic groups, and those with limited access to healthcare.
Way Forward
Efforts to reduce tobacco smoking and its impact include tobacco control policies, public health campaigns, smoking cessation programs, and increasing awareness about the health risks associated with smoking. Multifaceted strategies are essential to prevent tobacco use initiation, promote quitting, and protect non-smokers from exposure to tobacco smoke.
MPOWER measure?
MPOWER measures are tobacco control strategies developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2008.
They include:
- M=Monitor tobacco use
- P=Protect people from tobacco smoke
- O=Offer help to quit tobacco
- W=Warn about tobacco dangers
- E=Enforce bans on tobacco advertising
- R=Raise taxes on tobacco products
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