Health Effects of Tobacco

The Problem:
Tobacco is the main ingredient found in cigarettes. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic to the body. At least 60 chemicals out of the 4,000 chemicals found in tobacco smoke are cancerous and have been proven to cause cancer in humans. Approximately one third of cancer deaths are related to the use of tobacco products. The spread of tobacco is a global epidemic with serious consequences for public health. The increased consumption and production of cigarettes and other tobacco products, particularly in developing countries place undue burden on families, on the poor and on fragile health care systems. An increasing body of data has established that tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke causes death, disease and disability. The escalation of increased tobacco consumption by adolescence and children in particularly is of significant public health concern. Since the current literature suggest that tobacco consumption is occurring at a much earlier age. Tobacco use is responsible for millions of deaths every year. Tobacco use is among the most preventable cause of mortality.

What is interesting is that tobacco contains chemicals that are commonly found in common household chemicals:
* Naphthalene found in mothball
* Arsenic found in poison
* Mercury found in thermometers
* Carbon monoxide found in car exhaust
* Ammonia found in household cleaner
* Nitrous oxide found in disinfectant
* Nitrobenzene found in gasoline additive
* Cadmium found in batteries
* Stearic acid found in candle wax
* Butane found in cigarette lighter fuel
* Vinyl chloride found in PVC pipe
* DDT found in most banned insecticides
* Acetic acid found in vinegar
* Acetone found in nail polish remover
* Formaldehyde found in embalming fluid
* Hexamine found in barbecue lighter
* Hydrogen cyanide found in gas chamber poison
* Methanol found in rocket fuel
* Nicotine found in addictive drug
* Toluene found in industrial solvent

What are the health effects of tobacco smoke?
* Lung cancer
* Laryngeal cancer
* Esophageal cancer
* Oral cancers
* Emphysema
* High blood pressure
* Heart attack
* Stroke
* Linked to impotence
* Linked to lowered immune system
* Linked to premature death
* Increased blood pressure
* Increased heart rate and respiration rate
* Asthma
* Respiratory tract infections

What are the health effects of secondhand smoke?
* Contains twice the amount of tar and nicotine
* Increased risk of developing lung cancer
* Increased risk of children developing asthma or respiratory tract infections
* Increased cardiovascular disease

What can be done worldwide to control, reduce or abolish the use of tobacco?
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) has been signed and adopted by 192 States at the 56th World Health Assembly. Countries adopting this Convention have agreed to:
* Implement price and tax measures to reduce the demand for tobacco
* Adopt and implement legislation for protection from exposure to tobacco smoke in indoor workplaces, public transport and other public places
* Manufacturers are required to disclose the contents of their tobacco products
* Warning statements are required on labels and should be large, clear and legible. The print or picture should not be less than 30 % of the display area and may be represented either as words or include pictures
* A comprehensive ban on public advertising and sponsorship
* A comprehensive ban on smoking tobacco in all public places
* Increased public education programs using all available media and communication tools at all levels of society on tobacco usage and awareness by relevant agencies
* Strict enforcement of laws which prohibit the sale of tobacco to persons under the age of 18.