The Report on Global Tobacco Epidemic from WHO
The World Health Organization released their 369 page study called “The Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic in 2008.” In this report, they calculated that by the end of the century, tobacco will have been responsible for taking the lives of one billion people. This is an impending tragedy if the current trends of the rate of tobacco consumption continue on the same path. In the 20th Century, 100 million lives were claimed for tobacco’s sake.
Currently, 5.4 million people die each year from illnesses directly linked to tobacco use such as lung cancer and heart disease. That is one life every six seconds. The study states that as soon as 2030 we could see that number jump from 5.4 to 8 million people a year. An additional sobering fact is that 80% of those deaths will be in developing worlds, where tobacco use is growing most rapidly.
With the effects of smoking being so dire, why is it that the number of tobacco consumers continues to rise? Do citizens have a death wish? Do they enjoy the time spent ill, watching their money deplete as it is siphoned off into medications and hospital bills? The problem with getting people to quit smoking or to not light up in the first place, is the same as it is with most other public health problems, lack of education.
In another study, conducted by the Chinese government, only 25% of the entire population of China knew that tobacco use was not good for their health. Big tobacco is quick to exploit weaknesses, especially when it comes to the population not being fully aware of the hazards of their products. This is scary to think, especially when taken into consideration the fact that China alone contains nearly 30% of the world’s smokers.
To date, this is the most comprehensive study of its kind at a global level says General Dr. Margaret Chan. Chan is Director of the World Health Organization. She is hoping that the data they collected will better arm these developing countries so they can begin their battle on tobacco and start putting an end to the senseless casualties.
