World No Tobacco Day, Saturday 31 May, focuses on Tobacco-Free Youth as the only effective measure to reduce the very real risk of youth becoming regular users of tobacco products in adulthood. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance and child and adolescent experimentation can easily lead to a lifetime of tobacco dependence.
“Smoking doubles the risk of a heart attack or stroke, which is why the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA (HSFSA) is passionate about educating the youth on the dangers of smoking and risks associated with the habit,” says Zulfa Abrahams, National Manager: Health Promotion, HSFSA.
Approximately 5 million deaths occur annually due to smoking related diseases according to the World Health Organisation. The tobacco industry therefore has to intensify its efforts to hook new, young and potentially life-long tobacco users.
“Smoking kills 80 South Africans per day and it is for this reason that the HSFSA supports the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act, which aims to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to and by persons under the age of 18 years,” explained Zulfa during her oral submission to the Portfolio Committee on Health in Parliament on 6 May 2008.
Smoking increases the risk of developing coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke and sudden death. It is associated with cancer of the lungs, larynx, mouth, oesophagus and the stomach. Smoking is also the main cause of chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Call to young people:
Let policy-makers know what you think. Advocate a total ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products in South Africa.
Get involved in a campaign to educate your peers on how the tobacco industry uses advertising, promotion and sponsorship to lure you into a lifetime of tobacco use. Let the industry know you won't be duped by its slick, expensive promotional efforts.
“Tobacco is the only legal consumer product that kills the user when used exactly as the manufacturer intended,” added Zulfa. “World No Tobacco Day aims to reinforce the messages on the negative health effects caused by tobacco usage. It's a good day to choose to quit and protect yourself from future heart disease!”
For further information on the risks of smoking, kindly contact the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA's Heart Mark Diet Line on 0860 22 32 22 or visit www.heartfoundation.co.za.
Visit our PRESS OFFICE: Established in 1980, the Heart Foundation recently amalgamated with the Stroke Foundation, becoming the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA)- more....
Connected by: Uninet
muti
del.icio.us
stumbleupon
yahoo
google
facebook
newsvine
Digg
Reddit
GoGuide
