Tobacco use could kill more than one billion people around the world this century unless governments and civil society act to reverse the epidemic,according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report released Thursday.That is the deadly news that has just been reported today and I think if you are a regular user of tobacco,then i think you should be very afraid of the news.
According to WHO again,one hundred million deaths were caused by tobacco in the 20th century,yes one hundred million.The report also noted that tobacco use is growing fastest in low-income countries,owing to steady population growth coupled with targeting by the tobacco industry,with the end result that millions of people become fatally addicted each year.It said that nearly two thirds of the world's smokers live in 10 countries with China and India among the highest along with countries such as America and Indonesia.Singapore however is not on that list.It made clear that tobacco use currently costs the world hundreds of billions of dollars each year.Tobacco too is costing many countries a lot of money.In the United States alone,the economic losses are estimated at 92 billion dollars a year.The tobacco industry meanwhile spends tens of billions of dollars on marketing and targets the developing word with the same marketing and lobbying tactics perfected and now banned in rich countries,the report said.
WHO is considering a six-pronged approach to combat the problem such as monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies,protecting people from tobacco smoke,and offering help to quit tobacco use,but the most important strategy they think that could solve the problem is by raising the tax on tobacco.WHO said that a 70 percent increase in the price of tobacco could prevent up to a quarter of all smoking-related deaths worldwide.I dont know what the price of a box of cigarretes is here in Singapore because I never bought one before and I will never ever do that but Im sure its pretty expensive and considering a 70 percent increase in the price of it will be even much expensive I believe.But whatever it is,I think its important for people to realise the dangers of smoking,in fact I think the smokers themselves know it but I have never understand why they still want to smoke.
Of course our government has done a lot to solve the problem of smoking such as advertising the dangers of smoking on television or in public places,putting up grossly photos on the cover box of cigarretes,setting up a hotline for people to quit smoking but again the habit fails to die easily.I dont know what is so great about smoking,some people say it is cool,some people say it relieves you of your stress,I dont really know because I never smoke before and will never do it.I cant barely stand the smell that is coming out from the tip of the cigarrete,what else put a stick in my mouth.I think its time that the government not just in Singapore but in other countries as well put in a stronger action to solve the problem as soon as possible.I dont think it can ever be solve totally but at least minimise the problem.The dangers are for real,people are dying or if not,getting their health affected.The statistics dont lie.Whether its one hundred,million or billion,it doesnt matter.The most important thing is that we realise the full extent of the problem and think what is best for us.
I have no offence against any smokers out there,they can smoke all they want,but just dont do it near me because like ive said earlier,i cant stand the smell of the smoke.Just think about the news from WHO.If you are a smoker,smoke safely,if you are trying to quit,good for you,if you have not smoke before,I think its better if you keep it that way.Whatever it is,whether you smoke or not,just make sure you lead a healthy lifestyle and be happy always yes? Take care guys.
*The report is taken from Reuters.
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