On the last day of spring, the world community celebrates World No Tobacco Day. The day was launched in 1987 at the initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) to draw attention to the spread of smoking in the world and its negative impact on human health and life expectancy.
According to the WHO, in the twentieth century, tobacco caused the deaths of 100 million people. Researchers predict that by 2030, the number of tobacco-related deaths will exceed 8 million a year. In addition, about 600,000 people die each year who do not smoke but have fallen victim to secondhand smoke.
The theme of World No Tobacco Day 2020: “COVID-19 pandemic – a reason to give up tobacco.” With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of smokers have overcome tobacco dependence, as smoking is a risk factor for any lower respiratory tract infection, and the virus that causes COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system and often causes severe airway damage.
Every hour, day, month and year without cigarettes is a step towards better health. Quitting smoking is an important decision and a chance to live a long life with less damage to health. All types of cigarettes are equally harmful!
Interesting facts about tobacco and smoking:
- During the expeditions of Christopher Columbus, the Indians gave them tobacco leaves, which they used for smoking, chewing, as medicines. Columbus himself did not appreciate this plant, but one of his sailors, Rodrigo de Jerez, brought the habit of smoking from the expedition. After that he became the first victim of smoking – his inquisition condemned him for the smoke that came from his nostrils and mouth. Such unusual actions have been interpreted as an obsession with the devil.
- Smokers spend about 18 days a year smoking during work.
- Statistics claim that smokers live 14 years less than non-smokers.
- Tobacco is one of the most common causes of premature death worldwide. Alcohol, drugs, car accidents and other factors are ranked below smoking.
- Each cigarette contains about 70 chemicals that cause cancer.
- Heavy smokers (who smoke 30 cigarettes a day) are 4-6 times more likely to have a heart attack or cardiovascular disease.
- There are more than 120 known treatments for nicotine addiction in the world.
