May 31st is observed as World No Tobacco Day. Here’s looking at the mortality rates and health risks due to the tobacco epidemic in the South-East Asian region, counted among the world’s largest producer and consumer of tobacco.
By Simran Sehgal
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been observing World No Tobacco Day across the globe, every year on May 31st since 1987. The current pandemic and early research suggesting that smokers are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 – and subsequent death – make this year’s efforts more prevalent and pertinent.
Tobacco kills more than eight million people globally every year, of which seven million are from direct tobacco use and around 1.2 million are due to non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke, says WHO data. The South-East Asian region is amongst the world’s largest producer and consumer of tobacco.
In the region, Myanmar, Thailand, and Bangladesh see the highest percentage of deaths caused by tobacco. However, one should keep in mind that it can be difficult to attribute a death entirely to tobacco. Tobacco usage primarily puts the person at a higher risk of developing fatal diseases.
Studies show that smoking tobacco can reduce life expectancy by an average of 13-15 years. Tobacco eats a healthy person’s body from inside out and puts him/her at an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and cancers. And contrary to popular perceptions, there is no safe way to use tobacco. Vaping and e-cigarettes are just as deadly.
