Smoking kills 44 000 in SA a year

Indians dressed as skeletons and cigarette in a rally to mark World No Tobacco Day in in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, May 31, 2016. The member states of the World Health Organization observe May 31 every year as World No Tobacco Day to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and to the preventable death and disease it causes. (AP Photo /Mahesh Kumar A.)

Indians dressed as skeletons and cigarette in a rally to mark World No Tobacco Day in in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, May 31, 2016. The member states of the World Health Organization observe May 31 every year as World No Tobacco Day to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and to the preventable death and disease it causes. (AP Photo /Mahesh Kumar A.)

Published May 31, 2016

Share

Sandisiwe Ntlemeza

EVEN though less South Africans are smoking than 20 years ago, up to 44 000 die every year of smoke-related diseases.

Yesterday was World No Tobacco Day, and globally nearly six million people die from tobacco use or exposure to secondhand smoke each year, and smoking is the second leading cause of heart disease and strokes, the Health and Stroke Foundation (HSF) said in a statement.

Even though the number of people smoking has fallen, one in five South Africans smoke, 30% of men smoke, one in five teenagers smoke and 5.8% of young people smoke their first cigarette when they are 10.

Internationally, nearly six million people die from tobacco use or exposure to secondhand smoke each year, and smoking is the second leading cause of heart disease and strokes.

HSF said current tobacco packaging makes products more appealing, advertises tobacco consumption, distracts from health warnings and misleads people into thinking that some products are less harmful than others.

CEO of the HSF, Dr Vash Mungal-Singh, said they encourage South Africans to recognise the dangers and effects of smoking and use the various channels available to assist them to stop smoking.

Director of Tobacco Alcohol and Gambling (TAG), Peter Ucko, said together with Advisory Advocacy Board and Action Group, the aim is to change the landscape of controlling the major legal addictions in South Africa.

TAG has formed partnerships with several organisations, including Soul City and the SA Alcohol Policy Alliance. They are also working closely with the National Department of Health.

One of the partners is the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) assisting with promoting anti-tobacco awareness to help reduce the cancer risk.

The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) calls for countries to implement plain packaging and graphic warning signs on tobacco products.

The plain packaging prohibit the use of logos, colours, brand images or promotional information on packaging other than brand names and product names displayed in a standard colour and font style.

The FCTC legally binds the international treaty to curb tobacco use signed by 180 nations, a ban on branded cigarette packaging is considered a key demand in the reduction strategy.

Plain packaging and the use of graphic warnings will play a significant part in deterring the youth of South Africa from becoming adult smokers.

Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has publicly stated that he views plain packaging as a crucial part of tobacco control measures.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA supports the Department of Health’s intention to implement tobacco packaging legislation and encourages South Africans to join the fight against the most preventable cause of heart disease and strokes.

[email protected]

Related Topics: