Smoking causes two-third of lung cancer deaths globally

KOTA: The focus of the World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) this year is “tobacco and lung health”. Every year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and global partners observe May 31 as World No Tobacco Day and people are made aware of the ill-effects of tobacco and discouraged from using tobacco in any form.

As per WHO, this year’s campaign will focus on the impact of tobacco on lungs, from cancer to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). People will be informed about lung cancer, the primary cause of which is tobacco smoking. Smoking tobacco is responsible for two-third of lung cancer deaths globally. Exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) also increases the risk of lung cancer. Quitting smoking can reduce the risk. After 10 years of quitting smoking, risk of lung cancer drops to about half compared to a smoker. Smoking tobacco also causes COPD. In this disease, there is build-up of pus-filled mucus in lungs resulting in a painful cough and agonising breathing difficulties.

Similarly, young children who are exposed to SHS at home have high incidence of respiratory problems such as asthma, pneumonia and bronchitis, ear infection, repeat episodes of cough and colds and frequent lower respiratory infections.

Dr Amit Goyal, cancer surgeon in AIIMS, Jodhpur, said, smoking by or exposure of pregnant woman to SHS can reduce the lung growth and its function in foetus, can lead to miscarriage, premature birth of the baby, newborn with low birth weight and even sudden infant death syndrome.