Drugs and Tobacco have been widely used for centuries, with cigarettes being the most popular form of tobacco consumption. Despite its popularity, Tobacco is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide. The harmful effects of tobacco consumption on health have been well documented, and people must understand the risks associated with tobacco use and take steps to quit. The 31st of May of every year is celebrated as ‘World Tobacco Day’. This article will explore why we should say no to Tobacco and the benefits of living a tobacco-free life.
World No Tobacco Day 2023
Every year, on the 31st of May, International ‘World No Tobacco Day is observed’. This year, the world health organisation (WHO) and its partners will try to spread awareness about the importance of alternative crop harvesting in place of Tobacco. For the same reason, this year’s slogan is: We Need Food, Not Tobacco!
Eye-Opening Facts for Food Industry and Tobacco
Food is a necessity around the globe. Its unavailability results in conflicts, wars, and climate problems on a larger scale. Several elements cause the food crisis. Significant players include factors like the pandemic arousal, a strategically taken decision regarding the plantation or non-plantation of certain crops. Moreover, the tobacco plantation carried away the land that could be used for food plantation. The facts of tobacco growth are available in a few points below.
- Each year, Tobacco is grown on about 3.5 million hectares of land worldwide. Additionally, tobacco farming adds to the annual loss of 200 000 hectares of forest.
- It takes many resources to cultivate Tobacco, and pesticides and fertilisers are frequently used, which degrades the soil.
- Since Tobacco depletes soil fertility, land used for cultivating Tobacco has a lower capability for growing other crops, such as food.
- As tobacco farmlands are more prone to desertification, tobacco production has a much more significant detrimental effect on ecosystems than other agricultural operations like maise growing and cattle grazing.
Disadvantages of Tobacco Consumption
There are several reasons why we should say no to Tobacco. First and foremost, tobacco use is a major cause of many diseases, including swerve lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These severe diseases can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life and sometimes lead to premature death. Tobacco use results in more than 8 million deaths worldwide each year, says; World Health Organization (WHO).
Secondly, tobacco use is harmful to the individual who uses it and those around them. Second-hand smoke, which is the smoke released from the burning of cigarettes, contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including many known to cause cancer. Exposure to second-hand smoke can cause various health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory infections. Children and non-smoking adults regularly exposed to second-hand smoke are at exceptionally high risk for these health problems.
Thirdly, tobacco use is a major contributor to environmental pollution. Cigarette butts, the most common form of litter in the world, can take years to decompose and release toxic chemicals into the environment. Tobacco farming also contributes to deforestation and soil degradation, negatively impacting local ecosystems and communities.
Finally, tobacco use is a costly habit that can significantly affect a person’s finances. Cigarettes and other tobacco products are expensive, and the cost of using Tobacco adds up over time. In addition, the health problems associated with tobacco use can lead to increased medical expenses and lost productivity, which can further strain a person’s finances.
Advantages to Quit Tobacco
The benefits of living a tobacco-free life are many. For starters, quitting Tobacco can significantly improve a person’s health. Within a few weeks of quitting, a person’s circulation and lung function improve, and their heart attack and stroke risk decreases. Over time, a person’s risk of developing lung cancer and other tobacco-related diseases decreases.
Quitting Tobacco can also improve a person’s quality of life. Smokers often suffer from shortness of breath, coughing, and other respiratory problems, making engaging in physical activity and enjoying everyday activities challenging. By quitting Tobacco, people can regain their physical abilities and enjoy a more active, fulfilling lifestyle.
In addition to the health benefits, quitting Tobacco can also have financial benefits. By quitting, a person can save money that would otherwise be spent on tobacco products. Reinvest this money in productive elements, such as paying bills, going on vacation, or investing in hobbies and interests.
Quitting Tobacco can also have positive social benefits. By leaving, a person can reduce their exposure to second-hand smoke and protect the health of those around them. In addition, quitting Tobacco can serve as a positive example for friends and family members who may also be struggling with the smoke.
2023 Call for Decision Makers to Save the Planet & People
The top ten producers of Tobacco are grown in nine low- and middle-income nations, four of which are classified as low-income food-deficit nations. Tobacco cultivation takes up land that could be used more effectively to help the world reach Sustainable Development Goal 2 — ending hunger.
The 2023 WNTD campaign urges governments and decision-makers to strengthen legislation, create appropriate policies and strategies, and provide the market circumstances necessary for tobacco farmers to switch to cultivating food crops that would impact human life in a better way.
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control provides specific guidelines and policy options in Articles 17 and 18 on promoting the economic viability of alternatives for those involved in the production, cultivation, and retail of tobacco products and on enhancing environmental and public health protection. The country-level enforcement of these regulations must be improved.
Conclusion
Let’s decide today to quit tobacco consumption on a domestic level. Also, it is suggested to the decision makers to make strict laws regarding the plantation and consumption of Tobacco on all levels to get rid of it.
