Health
Matters
IT IS no mere
coincidence that the World No Smoking Day was marked the day that the World Cup 2002
kicked off that is yesterday. The very fact that the slogan this year is "Quit
Smoking—Watch Tobacco Free World Cup" indicates how widespread smoking is in
this world. It is no hidden secret that those who go in for smoking regularly can be
affected by 25 different kinds of diseases the cause of which may be any of the some 4,000
chemicals which are released and leads to premature death of the habitual smokers. The
matter does not end here as passive smokers too are affected. World Health Organisation
says that compared to deaths from diseases like HIV/AIDS, liquor, narcotic substances like
heroin, cocaine, accidents, etc. the number of deaths due to smoking beats them all put
together. The statistics can shock anyone: annually 5 million people die due to smoking
related diseases and breaking in down means 11,000 every day. The cost of advertisements
worldwide for the killer stuff crosses the 4 trillion rupees mark. These facts are
unbelievable from a modest point of view but it is the reality.
Nepal, too, is not free
from the deadly attacks of smoking or chewing tobacco. Though studies and findings are
hard to come by yet some work has been done. According to a survey that was made public
recently. 31.6 per cent or over four million people over the age of ten are habitual
smokers. This is enough to reflect the extent of the problem of smoking. Moreover, it
comes to light that almost 40 per cent smokers are males while 24 per cent are females. To
learn that 15,000 Nepalese die every year due to the harmful effects of smoking must make
everyone aware of the hazards of smoking. In fact, lack of awareness and illiteracy
contributes the most for people taking up smoking. That may be the reason why smoking is
more prevalent in the rural areas as compared to the cities. Everyone realises that it is
a major problem but efforts have not been commensurate. In this connection, the sale and
distribution of tobacco products must be monitored and controlled. The advertisement in
newspapers, magazines and those aired on TV and radio must be immediately stopped. Smoking
must not be glorified anywhere else as is seen in films. It might be profitable for the
government and the cigarette manufacturers but the long term impacts on the health of the
people must receive greater priority. A healthy population means a prosperous country so
specific programmes must be designed to wean away the addicted from the deadly habit and
thereby minimise the hazards of smoking.
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