The Sunday News
Tobacco
WORLDWIDE, tobacco use is the single largest causative factor for cancer, accounting for 30 percent of all cancer deaths in developed countries.
Tobacco smoke contains approximately 4 000 chemical substances, of which at least 438 can produce cancer. The most dangerous substances in tobacco are nicotine, tobacco tar, and carbon monoxide which contain the carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbon and nitroso compounds.
In addition to lung cancer, tobacco consumption causes cancers of the larynx, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, oral cavity and oesophagus. Lung cancer risk is determined by the amount of daily consumption of tobacco, duration of smoking and depth of inhalation. For regular smokers, the relative risk for development of lung cancer is more than 20 times higher than that of non-smokers.
Environmental tobacco smoke (passive smoking) is also carcinogenic but the risk is much less. Cessation of smoking significantly reduces the risk of lung and other tobacco associated cancers even after many years of addiction.
However, even ten or more years after stopping, the risk is somewhat greater than that of those who never smoked. Tobacco smoking is also responsible for a large amount of chronic lung disease and contributes heavily to cardiovascular disease (WHO Cancer Report, 2003).
In Zimbabwe, tobacco is smoked or chewed in various forms. Tobacco is also consumed frequently as a mixture with other substances. Cigarette smoking is however, the most common form of tobacco use. Evidence suggests that people in Zimbabwe start smoking at a younger age, increasing the risk of developing cancer over the years.
Young people usually encounter the practice among their peers and may then take up the habit themselves. Typically, tobacco use begins through social contacts, but the habit is reinforced by the development of psychological dependence derived from the nicotine content of tobacco.
A study in Zimbabwe showed that tobacco consumption was 6 times more prevalent in males than females. Unfortunately, there is no enforcement on people to smoke in designated areas. This exposes the general population to passive smoking and its adverse consequences. The percentage of youths who are exposed to second hand smoke in Zimbabwe is 24,7 percent (Tobacco Atlas).
Action against tobacco
The Government economic policy towards tobacco is directed towards individual and mass education against tobacco use. The powerful commercial interests involved in production and distribution of tobacco products exploit people’s dependence on tobacco in order to maintain sales. Government action regarding land use, subsidies, taxes, and other leverage on prices has a profound influence on the spread of tobacco use. Although the International Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) will outlive its lifespan in 2012, it remains a blueprint for effective control of tobacco, outlining articles on protecting populations from exposure to tobacco smoke; implementing graphic warning labels on tobacco packaging; passing comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship; and promoting cessation, among other issues. It will thus remain a reference document for this strategy.
Source: The National Cancer Prevention and Control Strategy for Zimbabwe 2013-2017
