**Tobacco**: A Global Health ChallengeTobacco use is a major risk factor for several chronic diseases, including cancer, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. It is responsible for nearly **1.35 million deaths** annually in India alone, making it one of the leading causes of death and disease in the country¹. Here are some key facts about tobacco:
1. **Global Impact**: – Tobacco kills up to half of its users who don’t quit, resulting in more than **8 million deaths** worldwide each year. – Approximately **1.3 million non-smokers** are exposed to second-hand smoke, which contributes to premature deaths¹. – Around **80%** of the world’s **1.3 billion tobacco users** reside in low- and middle-income countries¹.
2. **Forms of Tobacco Use**: – **Smokeless Tobacco**: The most prevalent form of tobacco use in India is **smokeless tobacco**, including products like khaini, gutkha, betel quid with tobacco, and zarda. – **Smoking Forms** . Cigarettes, bidis, and hookah are commonly used smoking forms of tobacco².
3. **Economic and Social Costs**: – Tobacco use contributes to poverty by diverting household spending from basic needs to tobacco products. This behavior is challenging to curb due to tobacco’s addictive nature. – The economic costs of tobacco use include significant health care expenses for treating tobacco-related illnesses and lost human capital due to morbidity and mortality¹.
4. **Second-Hand Smoke** .Second-hand smoke, which fills enclosed spaces when people smoke, is equally deadly. It causes serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including coronary heart disease and lung cancer. – Over a quarter of the world’s population living in **74 countries** is protected by comprehensive national smoke-free laws¹.
5. **Quitting Assistance**: – Among smokers aware of tobacco dangers, most want to quit. Nicotine replacements and lifestyle changes can help individuals quit smoking³.In summary, tobacco remains a global public health threat, affecting millions of lives and imposing heavy social, economic, and health costs. Efforts to reduce tobacco demand, monitor its use, and protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke are crucial steps toward a healthier world¹². Remember, there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco, and quitting is the best choice for health and well-being. 🚭Source: Conversation with Bing