Tobacco epidemic could kill 1 billion in 21st century

    NEW YORK (AP) - The World Health Organization warned that the "tobacco epidemic" is growing and could claim one billion lives by the end of the century unless governments dramatically step up efforts to curb smoking.

      In its first comprehensive report on tobacco use in 179 countries, the UN's health agency said governments collect more than $200 billion in tobacco taxes every year but spend less than one fifth of one percent of that revenue on tobaccco control programs that could prevent millions of deaths.

      "We hold in our hands the solution to the global tobacco epidemic that threatens the lives of one billion men, women and children during this century." WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan said in an introduction to the report released Thursday. "The cure for this devastating epidemic is dependant not on medicines or vaccines, but on the concerted actions of goverment and civil society"

       Chan told a news conference that the report will "enhance" WHO's reputation as the tobacco industry's "biggest enemy." The report says the industry spends tens of billions of dollars a year to attract new smokers, using low prices and agressive marketing.

        WHO urged governments to adopt six "tobacco control policies" to prevent young people from beginning to smoke, help smokers quit, and protect non-smokers from exposure to second-hand smoke.

        Chan told a news conference that "increasing the price of tobacco through higher taxes is the single most effective way to decrease consumption and encourage tobacco smokers to quit."

         Five other measures, she said, are also "within the reach of every country, regardless of income level" ---

1. banning tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship;  

2. protecting people from second hand smoke;

3. warning people on the danger of tobacco;

4. helping those who want to quit smoking;

5. monitoring tobacco use to understand and reverse the epidemic.

  " I would argue that these measures are the silver bullet of preventive medicine," Chan said. "Their power to prevent disease and death match that of producing drugs."

February 9, 2008

The Philippine STAR

Some numbers to ponder upon my friend...