Dear Readers,

As the world celebrates World Tobacco Day Lifeline takes this opportunity to bring to the public's attention the problems cigarette smoking still represents right here in Jamaica.

Cigarette smoking remains one of the biggest public-health threats the world has ever dealt with. Smoking kills and also causes terrible suffering, to not just the smokers but also to their families and friends. Second-hand smoke (from the atmosphere surrounding smokers) can also be lethal !

People die from lung cancer, emphysema (chronic lung disease which cause shortness of breath), heart disease, throat cancer, oesophageal and stomach cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer and suffer through many other illnesses because of cigarette smoke.

menstrual problems

Men and women who smoke may experience infertility. Women can experience menstrual problems, early onset of menopause (change of life), an increased risk of cervical cancer and, if they take oral contraceptives while smoking, they are at a serious risk of having a stroke.

It is projected that tobacco use will kill a billion people in the 21st century, and this year will take five million lives !

Around the world, the use of tobacco products is increasing, especially in developing countries, although usage is decreasing in the high-income countries where, through intensive mass-media promotion of the dire effects of cigarette smoking, it's use is now on the decline.

An individual doesn't have to smoke cigarettes to suffer the consequences. Second-hand smoke contains 69 known carcinogens (cancer-causing compounds).

Worldwide, on average, one person dies every six seconds from tobacco-related illnesses. Tobacco ultimately results in the death of nearly 50 per cent of all it's users! Most smokers are not aware of this as there is a significant time lag between the onset of smoking and the visible manifestation of the illnesses, so they take cigarette smoking lightly.

Readers will be amazed at some of the chemicals found in cigarette smoke. These chemicals include:

Naphthalene (moth ball chemical)

Arsenic (poison)

Mercury

Carbon Monoxide (a killer)

Ammonia

Cadmium (found in batteries)

DDT

Acetone (nail polish remover)

Formaldehyde (embalming fluid)

Methanol (rocket fuel)

Hydrogen Cyanide (gas chamber poison)

Toluene (industrial solvent)

NICOTINE- an addictive drug which keeps the smoker smoking and taking all these killer substances into their lungs while affecting the health of all their friends and families by both.

SECOND-HAND SMOKE - which is smoke exhaled by the smoker and smoke burned off the end of the cigarette. As an aside for pet lovers. A little known fact is that cigarette smoke increases lung cancer in their pet dogs!

THIRD-HAND SMOKE - which refers to the toxic particles in smoke which settles on surfaces such as carpets, furniture, clothing, walls and floors and stays there for hours to days. Just imaging the risk to the creeping baby on the floor who is also held over the shoulder of a cigarette smoker!

The benefits of stopping cigarette smoking include:

20 minutes later - blood pressure falls

12 hours later - toxic carbon monoxide levels become normal

24 hours later - the probability of a heart attack decreases

Two weeks to three months later - blood circulation improves and lung function improves by 30 per cent

One to nine months later - couching and sinus related problems decrease

One year later - The risk of heart disease has decreased by 50 per cent

Five years later - The risk of having a stroke is the same as of the general population

Ten years later - the risk of death from lung cancer to 50 per cent of a smokers, and the risk of all cancers has significantly decreased

Fifteen years later - The risk of heart disease is the same as for a non smoker.

A trivial, yet important fact is that quitting smoking reduces skin wrinkles and improves the sense of taste and smell.

Stopping smoking is the true recipe for the ex smoker to access a longer and healthier life.

Write to:

LIFELINE

PO BOX 1731

KGN 8