World No Tobacco Day: We Need Food Not Tobacco
World No Tobacco Day is an annual campaign held on the 31st of May. It’s a day to celebrate life and create awareness of the dangers of tobacco consumption. On this day, join hands with the Share Some Love Foundation, WHO, and other public health champions around the world to celebrate World No Tobacco Day! This year’s World No Tobacco Day campaign theme is “We need food, not tobacco”.
The aim is to create awareness about alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers encouraging them to grow sustainable, nutritious crops. It’s also aimed at exposing the tobacco industry’s efforts to interfere with sustainable crops, consequently contributing to the food crisis in Kenya and globally.
We Need to Grow Food, Not Tobacco
Tobacco growing can be harmful not only to our health but also to the farmers and the health of the earth. World No Tobacco Day aims at encouraging farmers to switch to more sustainable crops to boost food security and nutrition.
Tobacco growing has effects on the environment:- Growing tobacco degrades the soil, threatens biodiversity, and pesticides and fertilizers expose farmers to hazardous chemicals.
- Tobacco curing leads to the deforestation of farmlands and wood burning.
- The manufacturing of tobacco produces different types of environmental harm including water and energy use, hazardous waste, and greenhouse gasses.
- The transportation of tobacco leaf and products yield significant air pollution globally.
- Tobacco smoke has an impact on those who smoke, those around them, and the environment through the emission of toxic and greenhouse gasses.
- Disposing of tobacco and cigarette waste leads to substantial amounts of litter and leashes toxic chemicals into the environment.
The Adverse Effects of Tobacco
Tobacco consumption is one of the leading causes of death and disability in Kenya and across the world. It’s linked to several serious health conditions including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and lung diseases.
According to the World Health Organization, tobacco kills more than 7 million people annually. In Kenya, approximately 80,000 people die every year due to tobacco-related illnesses.Furthermore, second-hand smoke is a major health concern, not only in Kenya but also across the globe. Research shows that exposure to second-hand smoke accounts for over 1,400 deaths in the country annually. It’s dangerous, especially for young children and pregnant women. It can lead to asthma, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), ear infections, and bronchitis.
Therefore, the best thing a smoker can do is quit smoking and adopt smoke-free policies to help protect the health of people who do not smoke. Better yet, you can consult a healthcare professional or smoking cessation specialist to guide you on how you can quit smoking.Stop Targeting the Young People!
Using tobacco products is unhealthy, especially for young people. Tobacco companies spend huge amounts of money marketing their products including cigarettes, cigars, etc. However, since 1998, the World Health Organization has been using World No Tobacco Day to sensitize people about the harmful effects of tobacco products.
During this year’s World No Tobacco Day, WHO and the Share Some Love Foundation, among other public health champions, are focused on preventing the youth from using tobacco products and the attempts of the tobacco industry to attract the youth.
We all know that the earlier a young person starts using tobacco products, the more likely they are to become dependent on nicotine. That information is what the tobacco companies use to entice the youth – through adverts and sponsorships online, in stores, at cultural events, and in the media. The more tobacco product adverts young people see, the more likely they are to use them.
Share Some Love with Children, Teenagers, and Young Adults
We all have a collective responsibility including those who directly influence the youthful generation, to help prevent our kids and teenagers from using tobacco products. If everyone works together to keep the youth safe from the harmful effects of tobacco use, we can move toward a healthier smoke-free world.
In a nutshell, tobacco use is a major problem that affects our society and impedes the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Not only does it have a direct impact on the health of its consumers but also affects the economy of our country, the environment, women’s health, and childhood labor.
For more information, you can get in touch with us at the Share Some Love Foundation online. You can also reach us via email at info@sharesomelove.org or call us at +254726999296. We are all about Sharing Some Love and building a better future for children, teenagers, and young adults. So, help us spread the word.