Secrets of the tobacco industry -
Tobacco use is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced.
There are more than one billion smokers in the world.
Globally, use of tobacco products is increasing, (decreasing in MEDCs, increasing in LEDCs)
More than 80% of the world's smokers live in low- and middle-income countries.
Tobacco related illnesses such as lung cancer and heart disease kills 5.4 million people a year - an average of one person every six seconds –
Tobacco accounts for 1 in 10 adult deaths worldwide (Tobacco kills up to half of all users)
TNCs – Tobacco Companies
Qu 1. Give one possible reasons why the number of tobacco-related illnesses is rising.
Death rates are rising because most tobacco-related illnesses take years or decades to develop.
Traditionally a health problem associated with wealthier countries with ageing populations ((because people live long enough for the disease to develop), life expectancies in many MEDCs are still increasing with more people having tobacco-related illnesses.
As poorer countries develop and life expectancy increases, tobacco-related illnesses are becoming more common and it is thought 80% of smokers live in poorer countries.
Qu2. What is being done to try to reduce tobacco-related illnesses
1. 2003 WHO developed - ‘Framework Convention on Tobacco Control’ The treaty protects public health by:
Restricting tobacco advertisements
Regulating the contents of tobacco products.
Making sure tobacco products are packaged and labelled correctly and regulating who they are sold to.
2. In the UK in 2007 a no smoking ban was introduced. The ban covers virtually all enclosed public places including offices, factories, pubs and bars, but not outdoors or in private homes.
Purpose of the ban? The ban was designed to protect everyone from second-hand smoke, while making it easier for smokers to quit.
Penalty for smokers? Those
