World No Tobacco Day observed worldwide

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDMay 31 2010

Smoking is difficult to quit without assistance: Online Survey in China

In a new online survey of 15,559 Internet users in China findings show that more than fifty percent smokers find it difficult to quit the habit without professional assistance. This survey came in the wake of the World No Tobacco Day observed on the 31^st of May and supported by the media center of the Ministry of Health and the Life Times newspaper.

The detailed results showed that one fifth of the smokers felt the need for medication to help them quit however only five percent actually took these medicines. Forty nine percent failed to kick the habit on their own. 34.5 percent said they experienced pain when trying to quit and forty one percent said that the environment was not conducive for them to quit the habit. While many believed that smoking was an important part of their social image ten percent also said that it was fashionable to give up tobacco.

According to Dr. Zuo Fang at a tobacco cessation clinic the right approach to quitting smoking was with necessary psychological counseling, medication and a change in behavior. Alternatives that can distract the mind from the need for a cigarette need to be taught and practiced with deliberation he believes. “Without combining the three aspects, the success rate is only 2 to 3 percent. But scientific methods can increase the rate up 30 to 40 percent,” Zuo said.

On the other hand drugs aiding in smoking cessation are expensive. This forms a hurdle for many smokers half willing to quit.

Rising population of women who smoke – WHO reports

Latest report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that 20 percent of the world’s 1 billion smokers are women and the numbers continue to rise each year. WHO on this World No tobacco Day has brought to the general attention that not only are women smoking more but also the number of young girls who are taking up this habit. This International youth tobacco survey has shown that more girls aged 13 to 15 are trying out cigarettes than boys of the same age. (21.5 percent boys versus 23. 6 percent girls). This is in spite of the fact that selling cigarettes to under 18s is banned.

The report also points out that in the WHO European regions, 59 percent of men and 21 percent of women are smoking. Western Europe has almost similar number of male and female smokers (33-28 percent in the Netherlands) while Eastern Europe has fewer women smokers (63-39 percent in Greece, 61-3 percent in Armenia) said the report. The tobacco companies are trying to shorten this gap in the east alleged the report.

Measures to control smoking in Pakistan

Bloomberg Global Initiative has granted funds for the implementation of more aggressive tobacco control as announced by the Ministry of Health on Monday in Islamabad. The Tobacco Control Cell will include committees from 20 districts of the country explained officials. Cigarette packs will have pictorial health warnings with effect from 1^st June. These announcements were made at the launch of the new cigarette packs. Minister for Health Makhdoom Shahabuddin was the chief guest at the occasion and was supported by Health Secretary Khushnood Lashari, WHO Representative Dr. Khalif Bile Mohamud and Director General Implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Muhammad Yusuf Khan.

The committee will also appoint focal person and allot funds to enforce anti-tobacco laws and implementation at the district levels. Yusuf Khan also announced that in this connection a legal review is due to be released soon. This will be on Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance 2002. He also said that increased tobacco prices, ban on tobacco advertising, and ban on smoking in public places could be the key focal areas.

Shahbuddin said that the youth who are taking up the habit should be the focal target. Mass education of the youth, especially girls on the ill effects of smoking may provide answers he said. Lashari commended the pictorial warnings that are to be put on cigarette packets and promised that laws that made it difficult for youths to access cigarettes would be tightened.

Dr. Bile witnessed the whole proceeding and said “Today, a new value has been added to that dimension. I see a future for Pakistan in the domain of tobacco control.” He went on to say that at present tobacco was cheap in the country and process need to be amended as soon as possible. “We have the example of countries where a pack of cigarette costs no less than US $8 and the option of buying individual sticks does not exist at all. On the contrary, in Pakistan, the price factor renders cigarettes within the access of a majority, and then, they can also buy single sticks.”

At the end of the proceedings Shahabuddin unveiled the first picture warning printed on cigarette packs.