TOBACCO SMOKERS ADVISED TO DESIST FROM THE DEADLY ACT AS THE WORLD MARKS NO TOBACCO DAY.
Today is World No Tobacco Day. The event focuses on enlightening the public on the dangers of tobacco usage and the efforts of World Health Organization, WHO in fighting global tobacco epidemic. WHO medical research discovered that during 1900s, Tobacco contributed to the emergence of many illnesses including heart diseases, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer and emphysema.
Speaking on the significance of the day, a lecturer and Consultant, Public Health Physician, Department of Community Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Ituku Ozalla in Enugu State, Dr Chuka Agwuno described tobacco as a very harmful substance that could lead to premature death.
“We are strongly advising people to stay away from this harmful chemical. There are more than 30-40 dangerous chemicals in Tobacco. Heart problems, Kidney failure, Cancer of the Lungs, Brain Cancer, Column Cancer, Breast Cancer, are all connected to Tobacco use. It contains a substance known as Nicotine which keeps a smoker addicted to it.”
In an interview with Radio Nigeria, two former consistent tobacco smokers who pleaded anonymity shared their experiences.
“When I was smoking, I cannot run up to 3poles, so I went to my doctor, I could not breath well, she said I need to stop smoking, if I don’t stop within a year, I will die. Since I stopped smoking, I breath very well, I feel very good, I have been active.”
“I woke up to take my bath, I discovered I couldn’t stand straight. I was having pain on both sides of my lungs and I said to myself, I will die , I have to stop smoking.”
A retired Consultant Dietitian, UNTH Ituku Ozalla,Dr Chika Ndiokwelu noted that tobacco smoking especially among women had grave consequences on fertility and conception.
“Health wise, is bad so why do girls or ladies engage in smoking, when they get married eventually, conception becomes problem, their children are not well formed, they will have congenital problem, it’s terrible.”
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Tobacco, a threat to Development”.
EVELYN AWUNOR