Tobacco kills 274 Pakistanis every day. 5,000 smokers Pakistani are admitted to hospital every day. This was stated in a Symposium held in Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad on the eve of World No Tobacco Day 2010. The theme of symposium was “Hazards of tobacco”. Mohmmad Yousuf, Director General, FCTC was the chief guest of the event. A large number of people attended the program.
Dr. Mati-ur Rahman, Associate Consultant Pulmonologist from Shifa Hospital Islamabad informed that 55% Pakistani households have at least one smoker. 1200 Pakistani children between age 6 and 15 begin smoking every day. According to a survey, the ratio between young urban male and female smokers has shrunk from 4:1 in 1996 to 2:1 in 2003. T labels that state light or ultra light are abed by tobacco companies to disting wish products. They do not indicate a lover level of far or nicotine. These types of cigarettes offer no health benefits over regular cigarettes. They said that it is alarming to note that sheesha is the emerging Epidemic with certain baseless myths .The reality is that nicotine of unflavored tobacco is equal to 70 regular cigarettes, while a flavored tobacco is equal to 20 cigarettes. A simple smoking session results in 2.25 mg nicotine, high level of arsenic, cobalt, chromium and lead. It was mentioned that the tobacco consumption is the single preventable cause of morbidity and mortality.
Dr. Aftab Akthar, Consultant Pulmonologist, from Shifa Hospital Islamabad said that the global statistics shows that tobacco kills 1 person in 7 second that results 5 million smokers a year. The use of tobacco results disease like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, cardiovascular lung and Cancer, T.B and risk of heart stroke. It is alarming to know that out of 100 teenage smokers in Pakistan today, 50 will eventfully die of tobacco relates disease.
As a result of doing of tobacco there are short turn and long turn health benefits. It shorts benefits after giving up of tobacco within two weeks to three months’ circulation of blood improves; walking gets easier and lung function improves up to 30 % in 1month to 9 months. Coughing, sinus congestion, tiredness and shortness of breath come down. In long turn say in one year, risk of coronary artery disease in half that a smoker in five years time lung cancer death rates diseases by half and risk of stroke, risk of cancer of month throat esophagus, bladder, and kidney and pane rear become 1\2 as compare to the smoker. In addition quitting of smoking can dramatically improve chronic illness like diabetes, asthma or kidney failure. It was suggested that the following steps help to quit – tobacco .i.e. drink lots of water, and fluids stay away from alcohol, sugar and coffee and avoid fatty foods. After dinner, instead of cigarettes, treat yourself to a cup of mint tea or a peppermint candy.
Dr. Ghulam Haider Khalid, Consultant Pulmonologist, from Shifa Hospital Islamabad also spoke on the occasion.