Ref: CHB/Flash/2007/40                                             Date: September 03,2007

CHB NEWS FLASH

Amazing how much the holy month of Ramadhan provides an excellent opportunity for smokers to quit smoking, it is absolutely essential that one makes a vow for his own well being and the well being of his/her dear ones and the people around them. Imagine, if one can stop smoking for about 14 hours a day, what does it take one to just continue without it for the remaining 10 hours?? 

Smoking Health Hazards 

There are more than 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, including 43 known cancer-causing (carcinogenic) compounds and 400 other toxins. 

The soot, tar, gases, and other poisons in cigarettes harm the body over time. The fact is that the dangers of smoking include risking damage to one’s heart and lungs. They also make it harder for one to taste, smell, and fight infections. Cigarette smoking is the greatest cause of preventable deaths. On average, people who smoke die 5 to 10 years earlier than people who don't smoke.  

Smoking affects both the smoker and the people around them (passive smokers). People who smoke are more at risk of the following health problems:

Health hazards of passive smoking (Second Hand Smoking)

Some of the immediate effects of passive smoking include eye irritation, headache, cough, sore throat, dizziness and nausea. Adults with asthma can experience a significant decline in lung function when exposed, while new cases of asthma may be induced in children whose parents smoke. Short-term exposure to tobacco smoke also has a measurable effect on the heart in non-smokers. Just 30 minutes exposure is enough to reduce coronary blood flow.  

In the longer term, passive smokers suffer an increased risk of a range of smoking-related diseases. Non-smokers who are exposed to passive smoking in the home, have a 25 per cent increased risk of heart disease and lung cancer. Passive smoking is a cause of lung cancer and ischaemic heart disease in adult non-smokers, and a cause of respiratory disease, cot death, middle ear disease and asthmatic attacks in children.

Quitting Smoking

It's never too late to quit smoking. Everyone who quits should aim to quit completely. Most people who return to smoking "cheat" in the first few weeks. Quitting completely is essential to regain good health and reverse bad effects caused by smoking. Reducing smoking, even by half, does not eliminate the risk for cancer and other health problems.

Appeal To All The Jamaats:

CHB appeals and urge all the Jamaats to institute very strict “No Smoking” policy in all public areas within its jurisdiction. For example, in the Imambarghah and Mosque compounds, Meeting Rooms, Jamaat Offices, Kabrastan etc. No Smoking notices and signs should be placed at all these places. Volunteers should be asked to ensure adherence to the policy.

“Community’s health – CHB’s priority”