Global experts warn of 1 billion deaths from tobacco
An estimated 1 billion people will die from
tobacco-related diseases in the 21st century unless action is taken
to counter the perilous habit, global cancer experts have
warned.
"One hundred million people were killed by tobacco in the 20th century. Unless effective measures are implemented to prevent young people from smoking and to help current smokers quit, tobacco will kill 1 billion people in the 21st century," the World Lung Foundation and the American Cancer Society said in a report.
The two organizations said, in the newly released Tobacco Atlas, that tobacco use would kill 6 million people next year from cancer, heart disease, emphysema and a number of other diseases.
Tobacco accounts for one out of every 10 deaths worldwide and will claim 5.5 million lives this year alone. If current trends hold, by 2020, the number will grow to an estimated 7 million and top 8 million by 2030, the report said.
Tobacco kills one-third to one-half of those who smoke. Smokers die an average of 15 years earlier than nonsmokers. The risk of dying from lung cancer is 23 times higher for men who smoke than for nonsmokers and 13 times higher for women smokers.
Currently, 1 billion men smoke -- 35 percent of men in rich countries and 50 percent of men in developing countries. About 250 million women smoke daily -- 22 percent of women in developed countries and 9 percent of women in developing countries.
As for figures on Azerbaijan, there appears to be a lack of information. The report says that 1,253,000 packs of cigarettes are consumed in Azerbaijan daily. However, only one percent of women smoke. Women smokers are mostly aged between 15 and 45. Experts say the low number of female smokers in the country is possibly due to the negative public attitude toward women who smoke.
In neighboring Turkey, the habit of smoking among women is considered rather normal. Nonetheless, a ban on smoking in public places, including catering outlets, was imposed in the country beginning in July.
According to the World Health Organization, Greece has the highest number of smokers - 43 percent. It is followed by Russia and Austria. The United States has the smallest percentage of smokers.
The number of people using tobacco in the U.S. has, for the first time, decreased to 20 percent. This trend may be due to smokers being frowned upon. In Europe, the stigma on tobacco addiction is weaker and Europeans, on the contrary, tend to believe smoking produces a noble appearance. Pope Benedict XVI, former world-famous French soccer player Zinedine Zidane and Britain`s Prince Harry are known to be smokers.
But US President Barack Obama has admitted that he came under severe pressure due to his smoking.
The Tobacco Atlas also said China, by far, leads the world in cigarette production, followed by the United States, Russia and Japan.
Over the past four decades, smoking rates have declined in wealthy countries like the United States, Britain and Japan while rising in much of the developing world.
"One hundred million people were killed by tobacco in the 20th century. Unless effective measures are implemented to prevent young people from smoking and to help current smokers quit, tobacco will kill 1 billion people in the 21st century," the World Lung Foundation and the American Cancer Society said in a report.
The two organizations said, in the newly released Tobacco Atlas, that tobacco use would kill 6 million people next year from cancer, heart disease, emphysema and a number of other diseases.
Tobacco accounts for one out of every 10 deaths worldwide and will claim 5.5 million lives this year alone. If current trends hold, by 2020, the number will grow to an estimated 7 million and top 8 million by 2030, the report said.
Tobacco kills one-third to one-half of those who smoke. Smokers die an average of 15 years earlier than nonsmokers. The risk of dying from lung cancer is 23 times higher for men who smoke than for nonsmokers and 13 times higher for women smokers.
Currently, 1 billion men smoke -- 35 percent of men in rich countries and 50 percent of men in developing countries. About 250 million women smoke daily -- 22 percent of women in developed countries and 9 percent of women in developing countries.
As for figures on Azerbaijan, there appears to be a lack of information. The report says that 1,253,000 packs of cigarettes are consumed in Azerbaijan daily. However, only one percent of women smoke. Women smokers are mostly aged between 15 and 45. Experts say the low number of female smokers in the country is possibly due to the negative public attitude toward women who smoke.
In neighboring Turkey, the habit of smoking among women is considered rather normal. Nonetheless, a ban on smoking in public places, including catering outlets, was imposed in the country beginning in July.
According to the World Health Organization, Greece has the highest number of smokers - 43 percent. It is followed by Russia and Austria. The United States has the smallest percentage of smokers.
The number of people using tobacco in the U.S. has, for the first time, decreased to 20 percent. This trend may be due to smokers being frowned upon. In Europe, the stigma on tobacco addiction is weaker and Europeans, on the contrary, tend to believe smoking produces a noble appearance. Pope Benedict XVI, former world-famous French soccer player Zinedine Zidane and Britain`s Prince Harry are known to be smokers.
But US President Barack Obama has admitted that he came under severe pressure due to his smoking.
The Tobacco Atlas also said China, by far, leads the world in cigarette production, followed by the United States, Russia and Japan.
Over the past four decades, smoking rates have declined in wealthy countries like the United States, Britain and Japan while rising in much of the developing world.
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