Ten million smokers to die by 2025 - Doctor

Accra, May 30, GNA - Mortalities from tobacco would soon overtake the combined deaths due to pneumonia, diarrhoea, TB and obstetrical, putting a "death sentence" on the lives of about 70 to 75 per cent of tobacco smokers in developing countries, a medical doctor said in Accra on Friday. He noted that about 10 million people are expected to die from tobacco use by the year 2025 and out of this global figure, seven million deaths would occur in developing countries.

Dr. Akwasi Osei, Chief Psychiatrist of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, speaking at the launch of this year's World No Tobacco Day under the theme: "Tobacco Free Youth", noted that tobacco contained over 4,000 chemicals, 50 of which could cause cancer including tar, formalin, mercury, ammonia and carbon monoxide.


"Tar of tobacco causes cancer of all the pathways the smoke comes into contact with: lips, mouth, nose, tongue, throat, gut, lungs, intestines and even rectum and anus," he added.


Dr Osei revealed that tobacco was also the second major cause of deaths and the fourth most common risk factor for disease worldwide adding, "It kills one in 10 adults worldwide whiles one person dies every 6.5 seconds worldwide."


He said tobacco, like alcohol was the gateway drug which could lead to the use of other cannabis that were even more dangerous to human health, adding that, tobacco use on the individual increased heart rate and narrowing of the blood vessels.


Dr Osei mentioned the less publicized effects of tobacco as the loss of hair, mouth ulcers, rashes, blindness, aging, infertility, ear disease, low birth weight, bad breath and osteoporosis (thinning of the bones).


He therefore called for a smoke-free environment, ban on promotion on the products in the mass media and stringent control policies to curb the negative impact of tobacco both on the youth and the economy. Dr. Elias Sory, Director General of the Ghana Health Service, said globally, most people started smoking before age 18.

He said a global youth survey conducted in Ghana in 2006 showed that 11.5 per cent of students had ever used cigarettes, 14.4 per cent currently using it with 14.6 of students likely to acquire the habits. "As young people, you are important in the fight for a tobacco-free Ghana. Learn more about how the tobacco industry lies about the health risks of smoking and second hand smoke and use your energy and creativity to motivate your peers to support anti-tobacco measure," he advised.


Dr Gladys Ashitey, Deputy Minister of Health, said the Ministry in collaboration with other stakeholders was working hard to get the tobacco bill passed into law.


"We wish to appeal to filmmakers and event organizers not to allow tobacco companies to get our youth hooked to smoking through their work," she said, and called on the media to play an active role in the fight against tobacco.


Dr. Luis Sambo, WHO Regional Director for Africa, whose speech was read on his behalf said the rise in the use of tobacco products among girls and women was one of the most threatening developments to global tobacco epidemic.


"A ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship is a powerful tool to protect the youth and is one of the WHO's strategies designed to combat tobacco use," he said. Dr SDambo said only total bans could break the tobacco marketing net. 30 May 08