HEALTH. In the fight against smoking, every step counts.
Every year, May 31 commemorates the World No Tobacco Dayan initiative led by the World Health Organization (OMS) to raise awareness about the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and smoke exposure.
According to WHO data, the smoking kills more than 8 million people every year. More than 7 million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use, while about 1.2 million are the result of nonsmokers being exposed to secondhand smoke.
In Ecuador, according to the 2012 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), the 10.4% of the adult population smokes, which is equivalent to more than 1.2 million people. This consumption has a direct effect on respiratory health, and is one of the main causes of diseases such as lung cancer, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Red Cross Commitment
Given this panorama, the Ecuadorian Red Cross of Tungurahua joins the specialists in Pneumology to work for the health of the province not only on this World Day without Tobacco.
The doctor Cristina Villacrés, pulmonologist of the Red Cross of Tungurahua, highlights the importance of awareness and prevention.
“Tobacco does not only affect smokers. Secondhand smoke is also a serious public health problem. We must unite with all institutions to convey this message and help people understand the risks“, said.
El consumo actual de tabaco es seis veces mayor en hombres (23,8%) que en mujeres.
The Tungurahua Board of the Ecuadorian Red Cross, as every year, has committed itself to the education and the health preventionincluding smoking.
“World No Tobacco Day is an opportunity to highlight the harm caused by tobacconot only for the health of those who smoke, but for everyone around us,” said Francisco Haro, president of the Tungurahua Board of the Ecuadorian Red Cross.
«We are proud to work every day in the area of Pneumology to spread this message and control diseases caused by smoking,” he concluded.
Job
As part of the activities for this day, the Tungurahua Red Cross has launched a awareness campaign on social networks to disseminate information about the risks associated with smoking and the impact on respiratory health.
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC), tungurahua it has one of the highest smoking rates in the country, with approximately 12% of the adult population smoking regularly.
En Ecuador, el consumo de tabaco es responsable de la muerte de alrededor 19 personas por día.
This number, although lower than the world average, is still worrying and shows the importance of awareness and education efforts in the region.
In addition, the Red Cross is working on the implementation of tobacco cessation programs offering advice and support to those looking to quit smoking.
According to the WHO, the smoking cessation may decrease the risk of lung disease and improve overall respiratory health.
Local tobacco prevention and control initiatives are critical to achieving the goals WHO goals to reduce tobacco use.
This collaboration between Ecuadorian Red Cross represents a significant effort to improve respiratory health in the region.
Si desea una cita en neumología en la Cruz Roja de Tungurahua la atención es lunes, miércoles y viernes, previa cita.
World No Tobacco Day serves as a reminder of the serious impact that smoking has on global health and the need for continued efforts to combat this crisis.
The Ecuadorian Red Cross takes concrete measures to face this challenge, and their work is an example of the cooperation necessary to improve the health and well-being of all Ecuadorians.
