Preventing Tobacco Use Around the World

by SAMHSA

A spirit of worldwide cooperation is our best chance for stamping out tobacco-related death and disease and working toward a tobacco-free world. But maybe you don't smoke. Maybe you never started or maybe you kicked the habit. Why should you care about tobacco use around the world? Even if you don't smoke, you and your family are affected.

Tobacco is the second leading cause of death around the world. Today, tobacco use results in the death of one in ten adults worldwide. In fact, half of the people who smoke today will eventually be killed by tobacco. Even if you don't smoke, think about the number of people you care about who do and the health risks they face. By fighting tobacco use, you will help them lead more healthy lives.

Smoking adds to particle pollution that can trigger health problems ranging from coughing and wheezing to heart attacks and death. Stepping outside to get a breath of fresh air is getting tougher to do in many cities across the country and around the world because of dirty air. Particle pollution - a blend of fine solids and aerosols - floats in the air we breathe and can damage your health.

Secondhand smoke poses health risks to people who don't smoke. Secondhand smoke has more than 4,000 chemicals - 200 are toxic and 69 cause cancer. Secondhand smoke is linked to a wide range of harmful effects in children, such as making asthma worse, causing the number of colds and ear infections to increase, and putting babies at risk for sudden infant death syndrome. In the United States, secondhand smoke causes about 150,000 to 300,000 cases of lower respiratory tract infections in children who are younger than 18 months of age, resulting in 7,500 to 15,000 stays in the hospital each year. Even if you don't smoke, you and your kids could still be victims of tobacco use.

Tobacco affects finances around the globe. Together, tobacco and poverty create a vicious circle. In most countries, tobacco use tends to be higher among the poor. Poor families, in turn, spend more of their money on tobacco. Money spent on tobacco cannot be spent on basic human needs such as food, shelter, education, and health care. In addition, tobacco users tend to be sick more often than people who don't smoke, which can affect their ability to work. This may lower their family's income and weaken a country's workforce. For example, smoking costs the United States around $82 billion each year in lost goods, services, and income.

So, what can you do to prevent tobacco use? Get involved! World No Tobacco Day is celebrated by countries around the world on May 31 each year. It's a time to focus on the fight against tobacco use around the globe, and it's a great day for you and your family to get involved in the fight against tobacco use.

About the Author

www.samhsa.gov
SAMHSA works to improve the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, alcohol and drug addiction treatment, and mental health services. Includes links to support groups, information resources, events and articles.