Every day people are dying from tobacco use. In totality annually tobacco use is responsible for 6 million deaths every year. Some experts estimate that by 2030, the average casualties from tobacco will rise to 8 million per year. With 1 million dollars per hour going to tobacco product advertising, it’s no wonder the statistics continue to climb. Decreasing the appeal aspect of tobacco to the general public is inherently important.
Since 1987, the World Health Organization otherwise known as WHO has sponsored the annual awareness day called World No Tobacco Day and put the spotlight on what tobacco use causes in regards to health. Health problems such as, cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease and numerous others have all been attributed to tobacco use. This year’s theme for WHO targets the advertising that makes tobacco so “attractive.” Go plain!
Ousting the Sparkle
Like every savvy business owner knows, marketing is vital to product profitability. Not surprisingly tobacco companies do as well. For years unique, inviting slogans, branding and bright colors have drawn in old and young consumers.
World No Tobacco Day, May 31, brings honesty and accountability into the marketing machine of the tobacco industry–by encouraging plain packaging globally. Plain packaging encompasses the measures put forth to ban or limit logos, colors, brands or info of a promotional nature on products made from tobacco. Limiting attractive labeling through plain text and emphasizing the health risks involved has actually seen a noticeable drop in tobacco use in Australia. Who knew utilizing standard colors and fonts on packaging could be so effective! It apparently works.
Worst of the Worst
Is tobacco a threat to your quality of life? Millions of people are negatively impacted by loss of loved ones via short-term and long-term health problems that unfold from tobacco use. Below is a list of the top four worst diseases caused by tobacco:
#1. Lung Cancer- If you or someone you love struggles with tobacco use, it can become a frightening thing. A total of 87 percent of deaths caused by lung cancer is directly related to cigarette smoking. Smoking really does smoke you!
#2. COPD- While you may have occasionally seen the commercials about COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, you might not have known that 80 percent of all COPD cases are caused by cigarette smoking. This disease makes it difficult to be active, and can be exhausting on the body, and your personal life. It’s also the third leading cause of death in the United States.
#3. Heart disease- No organ is left untouched when it relates to tobacco. A narrowing of your arteries can occur because of smoking. This can block the flow of oxygen blood to your heart. A study showed that when smoking decreased in the U.S. heart disease rates followed suit. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in America.
#4. Stroke- It’s all about the arteries, or in this instance–those damaged by smoking. As previously mentioned tobacco use can block the flow of blood to vital organs. When blood flow to the brain is temporarily blocked this is called a stroke. It damages brain cells, triggers paralysis, slurred speech, an alteration of the brain function and may lead to death. It also is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.
Stopping the Flow
World No Tobacco Day is all about bringing positive change through application. If you want to stop tobacco from impacting your life, know the health risks. Nix the tobacco and decrease the chance that you or someone you love becomes another sad statistic!