In 1987, the World Health Organization’s Member States established World No Tobacco Day to raise global awareness of the tobacco epidemic and the dispendable death and disease it causes. The World Health Assembly legislated Resolution WHA40.38 in 1987, designating 7 April 1988 as “a world no-smoking day,” and Resolution WHA42.19 in 1988, designating 31 May as World No Tobacco Day every year.

This annual celebration educates the public on the dangers of using tobacco, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.

According to Department of Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, about 110,000 Filipinos die each year as a result of illnesses and complications induced by tobacco usage. He also emphasized that tobacco smokers have a higher risk of getting severe COVID-19, according to new studies and evidence.

Tobacco usage is one of the primary causes of death that can be avoided. Every year, the worldwide tobacco epidemic kills about 6 million people, including over 600,000 people who are exposed to secondhand and third-hand smoke.

Secondhand smoke is produced when tobacco is burned or heated in a cigarette, cigar, pipe, hookah, or electronic cigarette. They also come from the smoke that a smoker exhales. While smoke that remains in carpets, walls, furniture, clothing, hair, toys, and other surfaces is known as third-hand smoke. Long after a cigarette has been put out, the smell of smoke can linger on a person, automobile, or room.

The danger brought by the tobacco can greatly harm the most vulnerable groups like pregnant and women, children under five (5) years old and elderly. Children are affected most by the third-hand smoke which they swallow, as many children put their hands or other objects into their mouths.

Tobacco smoke can cause cancer, heart disease, lung damage and asthma. For the pregnant woman and her baby, tobacco smoke is especially dangerous and can increase the risk for premature birth, stillbirth and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (crib death).

Let’s protect ourself, our family and the community by taking that first step and decide to quit smoking. Individuals should eat regularly following the MOVABA diet or moderate, variety and balanced diet. People who decide to stop smoking should eat foods rich in zinc, calcium, folate, vitamin C and E, beta-carotene, lycopene, and essential fatty acids to supply the deficiency brought by the tobacco in the body.

A healthy lifestyle, in addition to proper nutrition, aids in the maintenance of mental health. Be active and have a regular physical activity at least 30 minutes a day. Avoid vices such as drinking alcoholic beverages, and use of illegal drugs.

For smokers who want to kick the habit, smoking cessation clinics are available nationwide. There are identified smoking cessation clinics available in different areas in the country and the Department of Health offers Filipinos who want to kick their smoking habits real-time counseling and support through a Quitline. Quitline This is a hotline –165364 – that smokers can call, organized by DOH. For the mobile-based cessation, simply text ‘STOPSMOKE’ to (29290)165364 – and text messaging will begin support and guidance to quit smoking, instead of actual operators and voice. Services will be available and accessible via SMART/Sun Cellular and Globe.

Living a smoke-free lifestyle allows people to live a healthier and, most likely, longer life. The risk of heart attack is cut in half by the end of the first year. It’s almost the same as someone who has never smoked after five years. Overall, such lifestyle can also improve the quality of life. Itigil ang pagpapanigarilyo para sa kinabukasan ng tao at kalikasan. (NO I Vazamija Therese A. Villasi, RND)

References:

American Thoracic Society. (2020a, March). What are Second and Third-hand Smoke and Vaping Aerosols? Retrieved May 31, 2022, from https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/second-hand-smoke.pdf

Department of Health. (2021, June 2). DOH, Smokefree Philippines celebrate world no tobacco day [Press release]. https://doh.gov.ph/press-release/DOH-Smokefree-Philippines-Celebrate-World-No-Tobacco-Day

Radyo Mo sa Nutrisyon. (2014, March 8). What does living smoke-free mean? Living smoke-free is your opportunity to live a healthier and probably longer life. By the [Facebook status update]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/radyomosanutrisyon/photos/a.293935603949865/755982841078470/?type=3

World Health Organization. (n.d.). 31 May is World No Tobacco Day. Retrieved May 31, 2022, from https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-no-tobacco-day