31 May: World No Tobacco Day 2017

Today (31 May) is the World No Tobacco Day to remind each one of us that we should confront the global tobacco crisis because it affects us all. Here are some quick facts about smoking that you should know:

Tobacco kills more than 7 million people worldwide; and the number keeps on rising to reach almost 9 millions in 2030.

For every 1 person who died from smoking-related diseases, there are 30 persons who are suffering from related morbidities.

Smokers are more likely to have , yellow teeth, acne, smell and have a bad breath
Smoking is a risk factor for different types of cancers especially lung cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases), sexual weakness, weak immune system and many others

On average, non-smokers live 10 years longer than smokers
There are more than 7000 chemical in tobacco smoke, at least 250 of them are toxic and more than 70 are carcinogenic
Narguile smokers absorb more toxicants that cigarettes smokers
Smoking in pregnancy can lead to birth defects and is extremely harmful for the baby
There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco or a safe product even e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and filters are not recommended

More than 31 out of 100 high school students reported to use tobacco products

Second-hand smoking, the smoke that fills enclosed spaces when people are using tobacco products and inhaled by the surroundings, causes around 900 000 premature death each year

In Lebanon, the average of smokers, which is 45% for males and 38% for females is highly significant, especially in comparison with the regional MENA average (38% for males, 7% for females)

It is never too late to quit!