ISLAMABAD: On ‘No Tobacco Day,’ a health expert urged social media platform owners to create more awareness among youth about the harmful effects of tobacco on human life, which kills millions of people each year despite a gradual decline in cigarette usage globally.
Dermatologist Lieutenant Commander (R) Dr. Ishrat Abuzar, talking to a private news channel, recommended smokers stop or face an increased risk of smoke-related diseases, particularly mouth-related cancers, which can be fatal. She emphasized that World No-Tobacco Day is observed annually on May 31 to raise awareness about the negative health consequences of tobacco and to push for effective tobacco control policies.
Public awareness about the negative effects of tobacco
Pakistan, like the rest of the world, observes “World No Tobacco Day” to raise public awareness about the risks and negative effects of tobacco on human health. She asked that the government continue to work to raise awareness and create a smoke-free society by launching a counter-marketing campaign, raising knowledge about nicotine use, and enabling young people to take part in the tobacco-control struggle.
She urged every Pakistani to take steps to protect the health of the next generation. She claimed that smoking was responsible for 90% of lung cancers and that smoking in public places had a negative impact on the health of nonsmokers as well.
According to the doctor, it is the responsibility of nonsmokers to encourage those around them to quit smoking permanently. The expert also discussed the negative consequences of gutka coupled with tobacco, saying that chewable tobacco could cause jaw tightening, which could eventually lead to mouth cancer. She urged the media, parents, teachers, and society to take the issue seriously and play a role in drug eradication.
She further said that smoking and drinking too much alcohol are linked to an increased chance of developing mouth cancer, which can arise in or on any part of the mouth, tongue, lips, neck, and throat. Mouth cancer is commonly overlooked in its early stages. She continued on to say that cancer of the mouth and the treatment that is necessary can be difficult for the patient because it can interfere with functions including speech, chewing, and swallowing.
