HR/June 19/8: Need for tobacco harm reduction

The need for tobacco harm reduction is apparent from global data on smoking. The statistics relating to smoking-related mortality and morbidity across the world are grim

·         Smoking tobacco results in the world’s deadliest preventable diseases, prematurely ending the lives of half of all smokers.

·         Smoking cigarettes is a major cause of lung and oral cancer, progressive respiratory diseases such as emphysema, and heart disease.

·         One person dies from a smoking-related disease every six seconds.

·         Over six million people die from a smoking-related disease every year.

·         More people die from smoking cigarettes than from malaria, HIV and tuberculosis combined.

·         The WHO estimates that by the end of the century one billion people will have succumbed to a smoking-related disease.

·         The US Surgeon General’s report on tobacco published in 2014 estimated that in the 50 years since

·         1964, 20 million American citizens had died from a smoking-related disease.

·         The global cost of treating smoking--related diseases in terms of healthcare and lost productivity is estimated by the WHO at US$1 trillion annually.

·         Smoking-related death and disease disproportionally affects those living in poverty and deprivation in richer countries, and those with mental health and other substance use problems.

(Source: No Fire, No Smoke Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction, 2018 (2018). London: Knowledge-Action-Change)

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA