Tobacco Kills!

On 27 February 2005, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), took effect. That was the world's first public health treaty. Countries that signed on as parties agreed to a set of common goals, minimum standards for tobacco control policy, and to cooperate in dealing with cross-border challenges such as cigarette smuggling.

Currently the WHO declares that 4 billion people will be covered by the treaty, which includes 168 signatories. Amongst other steps, signatories are to put together legislations that will eliminate second hand smoke in indoor workplaces, public transport, indoor public places and, as appropriate, other public places. But given the influencial nature of the multi-billion dollar cigarette industry, this fight is by no means going to be an easy task. That is why it needs a concerted effort.

Diseases caused by tobacco smoking are significant hazards to public health. According to reports from some quarters, tobacco kills more than the total number of deaths from AIDS, traffic accidents, suicide, murder, fires and accidental poisoning. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, describes tobacco use as "the single most important preventable risk to human health in developed countries and an important cause of premature death worldwide."

The main health risks in tobacco include diseases of the cardiovascular system, in particular myocardial infection (heart attack), cardiovascular disease, diseases of the respiratory tract, and a host of others.

Data regarding smoking to date, focuses primarily on cigarette smoking, which increases mortality rates by 40% in those who smoke less than 10 cigarettes a day, by 70% in those who smoke 10–19 a day, by 90% in those who smoke 20–39 a day, and by 120% in those smoking two packs a day or more. Pipe smoking has also been researched and found to increase the risk of various cancers by 33%.

Cigarettes are smoked by over 1.1 billion people. While smoking rates have levelled off or declined in developed nations, in the developing world tobacco consumption continues to rise at a rate of around 3.4% per annum.

Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, some of which have marked irritant properties and some 60 are known or suspected carcinogens.

Amongst these deadly chemicals it contains are: Ammonia, Cadmium, Carbon monoxide, DDT, ant poison, car batteries, car exhaust fumes, insecticide