Statistics show that about six million people die annually worldwide from tobacco-consumption-related-diseases. It has also been estimated that about six hundred thousand non consumers of tobacco products are affected yearly through what is termed, “Second Hand Smoking”. These are people who do not smoke but inhale smoke or particles while around smokers.
Tobacco has been defined as a green leafy plant grown in warm climate that is picked, dried, ground and used in many ways like smoked in cigarette, pipe or cigar. It can also be chewed, which is called smokeless tobacco or chewing tobacco or even sniffed through the nose, known as snuff.
No doubt, the health hazards associated with tobacco consumption are enormous. Researchers say Nicotine, a stimulant, when taken, speed up the nervous system, make the heart beat faster and raise the blood pressure. In addition, nicotine and tar in cigarette, cause lung cancer and other heart diseases.These have caused some countries to take certain measures to discourage people from smoking. These include banning smoking in public places as well as warning labels on cigarette packages such as “Smokers Are Liable To Die Young”, which however do not go down well with producers. Some organizations are also demanding total ban on sale of tobacco products.
The question now is, how do people get into tobacco consumption, especially cigarette smoking? Studies show that many smokers began the practice during adolescence or early adulthood. Again, it is said that the most common factor leading students to smoke include cigarette adverts as well as parents, siblings and peer group cum friends influence.
Some years back, cigarette smoking was given some kind of popularity as some highly placed individuals or actors on television screens would adopt certain posters when they smoke, such as inhaling and puffing out the smoke, thus, giving them a kind of gait. This also made them classic, while the smoke is made attractive to young ones. Worse still, some under-aged children also learnt smoking by buying cigarettes for their fathers or other smokers and picking the unfinished tubs.
Happily, it has been observed that cigarette smoking has declined, though, still prevalent in some countries and among certain groups such as at motor parks. However, some, who still smoke, do it in secret. In combating tobacco consumption therefore and making it a thing of the past as being agitated, one may have to look at the laws or other measures that will limit or ban the use of logos, colours, brand images or promotional information on tobacco products. The idea is to make the pack unattractive and reduce the urge. However, being a habit, this may not be enough to overcome the temptation.
More efforts should be geared towards redirecting the youths and even the adults, some of whom also smoke or consume snuff (Utaba), especially in rural areas. They should be made to realize the dangers inherent in what they do.
Governments should also step up measures to combat the menace while the media can assist by producing jingles and messages to that effect. Producers and sellers should also realize the implications of what they are doing and can go into manufacturing what promotes life and good living and not what destroys life.
Consumers may feel they have the right but no government allows its people to endanger their lives.
