Every year on May 31, the World Health Organization organizes a worldwide initiative known as World No-Tobacco Day to highlight effective policies that prevent tobacco use and increase public awareness of the adverse health effects of tobacco use. On this day, people are reminded of the serious health dangers that come with smoking, which include cancer, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory problems. Smoking is bad for your health; it puts a huge strain on healthcare systems and results in millions of deaths a year.
“Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference” is this year’s World No-Tobacco Day 2024 topic. To participate in this day’s celebration, inform yourself of the negative effects of smoking. Continue reading to learn about the long-term effects of smoking.
Long-Term Effects of Smoking
- Lung cancer: Tobacco smoke contains carcinogenic chemicals that harm lung cells’ DNA. Uncontrolled cell growth and mutations result from repeated exposure. Coughing, chest pain, and weight loss are some of the signs of lung cancer, which is frequently dangerous and significantly decreases survival and quality of life rates.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are caused by smoke’s destruction of lung tissue and irritation of the airways. This significantly decreases quality of life and physical activity by causing a chronic cough, difficulty breathing, and respiratory infections.
- Heart Disease: Tobacco smoke contains chemicals that harm blood vessels and cause atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which lowers the heart’s oxygen and blood flow. This raises the possibility of heart failure, angina (chest discomfort), and heart attacks, which raises the death and morbidity rates.
- Stroke: Smoking can obstruct blood flow to the brain by raising blood pressure and increasing the risk of blood clots. This causes brain damage, which can lead to death in extreme cases, paralysis, trouble speaking, and memory problems.
- Respiratory Infections: Smoking affects the airways and impairs the immune system, which makes it easier for diseases to spread. This makes one more prone to respiratory infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and others, which can result in ongoing bouts of sickness and impaired general health.
Observing World No Tobacco Day
In an effort to bring attention to the harmful consequences of tobacco use, the World Health Organization founded World No Tobacco Day in 1987. However, the globe started celebrating “World No Tobacco Day” on May 31 following the adoption of a resolution in 1988. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the adverse effects of tobacco use and to motivate people everywhere to give up smoking and other smoking-related activities.
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