100 million people to die from smoking - WHO

Accra (Greater Accra) 28 May '99

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday said tobacco would kill more than 100 million people in the first two decades of the 21st century.

It, therefore, recommended as a matter of urgency the enactment of legislation and promotion of effective tobacco control through education.

The world health body said there is need for urgent international and national action to restrict the spread of tobacco use to reduce its harmful effects on society.

This is contained in a statement released in Accra by WHO ahead of the World-No-Tobacco Day on May 31.

The statement noted that tobacco is fast becoming a greater cause of death and disability than any single disease and is a known or probable cause of some 25 different diseases.

These include lung cancer, bronchitis and emphysema. Tobacco consumption has been explicitly linked to the high incidence and gravity of cardiac disease.

WHO has decided to focus attention and resources on tobacco use to prevent at least some of these predictable deaths.

"Tobacco and smoke concern us all, smokers and non-smokers alike. Tobacco is everybody's problem. It is a major health issue that demands urgent action now," the statement said.

WHO recommended comprehensive tobacco control strategies through legislation and education such as banning all tobacco advertisements and promotion, establishing smoke-free public places and providing tobacco use cessation programmes.

The statement said governments should rank treatment of tobacco users as an important public health priority.

Health care systems should also offer practical interventions to all tobacco users, regardless of economic level, age and sex.