On 31 May each year, the Department of Health celebrates World No Tobacco Day, highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce consumption.
Tobacco use is the second cause of death globally (after hypertension) and is currently responsible for killing one in 10 adults worldwide. The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2010 is gender and tobacco, with an emphasis on marketing to women.
The department will use the day to draw particular attention to the harmful effects of tobacco marketing and smoke on women and girls. Women comprise about 20 percent of smokers. However, the epidemic of tobacco use among women is increasing.
Women are a major target of opportunity for the tobacco industry, which needs to recruit new users to replace the nearly half of current users who will die prematurely from tobacco-related diseases.
Especially troubling, is the rising prevalence of tobacco use among girls. Reports point to evidence that tobacco advertising increasingly targets girls. Information suggests that about seven percent of adolescent girls smoke cigarettes as opposed to 12 percent of adolescent boys.
The MEC for Health believes that: "protecting and promoting the health of women is crucial to health and development, not only for the citizens of today but also for those of future generations".
On World No Tobacco Day 2010, and throughout the following year, the department will encourage civil society to pay particular attention to protecting women from the tobacco advertising attempts to lure them into lifetimes of nicotine dependence.
By responding to this call, civil society can reduce the toll of fatal and crippling heart attacks, strokes, cancers and respiratory diseases that have become increasingly prevalent among women.
Tobacco use could kill one billion people during this century. Recognising the importance of reducing tobacco use among women, and acting upon that recognition, would save many lives.
Contact:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 285 0567
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
24 May 2010
