Say 'NO' to smoking
May 29, 2007
KILLING the innocent is what passive smoking and smokers do. Dr Sheila Ndyanabangi of the anti-tobacco activities says when you ignore all health warnings, including those written on the cigarette pack and puff into the air, you are spreading disease.
By Winnie Natu
KILLING the innocent is what passive smoking and smokers do. Dr Sheila Ndyanabangi of the anti-tobacco activities says when you ignore all health warnings, including those written on the cigarette pack and puff into the air, you are spreading disease.
And these are usually your family members, friends and other people who have various responsibilities in life. It is alarming that thousands who have never smoked die each year from diseases caused by second-hand smoking.
“The theme this year is ‘Tobacco smoke-free environment.’ Very soon, we shall move against people, who have not complied with the law on second-hand smoking,†she said. “It is a crime in Uganda to smoke in public.â€
According to this law, all public places will be smoke-free zones. These include offices, halls, churches, cafes, toilets, stadia and bars. “We will eventually extend to homes because children and other non-smokers suffer the consequences of one person. The law does not include the streets, but smokers should know that we all have the right to clean air,†Ndyanabangi adds.
According to a WHO survey, smoking bans are widely supported by smokers and non-smokers and provide a strong incentive to many smokers who want to quit.
Most literature on second-hand smoke agrees that it is composed of the smoke released from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke exhaled by the smoker.
It contains many of the same chemicals that are present in the smoke inhaled by smokers. But because it is generated at lower temperatures and under different conditions than mainstream smoke, it contains higher concentrations of many of the toxins found in cigarette smoke.
It is estimated that at least 250 chemicals in second-hand smoke are known to be toxic or carcinogenic (can cause cancer).
There is, therefore, no risk-free level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Opening a window, sitting in a separate area, or using ventilation, air conditioning, or a fan cannot eliminate second hand smoke exposure. Ndyanabangi scoffs at the proposal to curve out smoking zones in public places. “Smoke will still float to non smokers in the same roomâ€, she said. The only way to protect people is to have a smoke-free environment.
Many children and non smoking spouses are still exposed to second hand smoke in their homes and therefore risk premature death. Children exposed to second hand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, ear problems, cancer and more severe asthma. Babies of smoking parents are especially vulnerable.
Breathing second-hand smoke for even a short time can have immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and interferes with the normal functioning of the heart, blood, and vascular systems in ways that increase the risk of a heart attack.
KILLING the innocent is what passive smoking and smokers do. Dr Sheila Ndyanabangi of the anti-tobacco activities says when you ignore all health warnings, including those written on the cigarette pack and puff into the air, you are spreading disease.
And these are usually your family members, friends and other people who have various responsibilities in life. It is alarming that thousands who have never smoked die each year from diseases caused by second-hand smoking.
“The theme this year is ‘Tobacco smoke-free environment.’ Very soon, we shall move against people, who have not complied with the law on second-hand smoking,†she said. “It is a crime in Uganda to smoke in public.â€
According to this law, all public places will be smoke-free zones. These include offices, halls, churches, cafes, toilets, stadia and bars. “We will eventually extend to homes because children and other non-smokers suffer the consequences of one person. The law does not include the streets, but smokers should know that we all have the right to clean air,†Ndyanabangi adds.
According to a WHO survey, smoking bans are widely supported by smokers and non-smokers and provide a strong incentive to many smokers who want to quit.
Most literature on second-hand smoke agrees that it is composed of the smoke released from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke exhaled by the smoker.
It contains many of the same chemicals that are present in the smoke inhaled by smokers. But because it is generated at lower temperatures and under different conditions than mainstream smoke, it contains higher concentrations of many of the toxins found in cigarette smoke.
It is estimated that at least 250 chemicals in second-hand smoke are known to be toxic or carcinogenic (can cause cancer).
There is, therefore, no risk-free level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Opening a window, sitting in a separate area, or using ventilation, air conditioning, or a fan cannot eliminate second hand smoke exposure. Ndyanabangi scoffs at the proposal to curve out smoking zones in public places. “Smoke will still float to non smokers in the same roomâ€, she said. The only way to protect people is to have a smoke-free environment.
Many children and non smoking spouses are still exposed to second hand smoke in their homes and therefore risk premature death. Children exposed to second hand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, ear problems, cancer and more severe asthma. Babies of smoking parents are especially vulnerable.
Breathing second-hand smoke for even a short time can have immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and interferes with the normal functioning of the heart, blood, and vascular systems in ways that increase the risk of a heart attack.