Given the known risks from smoking, what action should governments and individuals take to protect health?

It is clear therefore that governments, in their efforts to promote health, should concentrate more on raising the level of awareness of the dangers posed to health by smoking. The most obvious direct action so far by government is the mandatory health warning on cigarette packages, which is made as strong as can be. Government also imposes high taxes on tobacco products. There is also the occasional media campaign to encourage people to quit smoking. TV, radio and newspaper advertising of all tobacco has been banned. Strict laws govern the sale of tobacco to minors. Research has shown that smokers as well as non-smokers need to be protected from cigarette smoke. The pollutants from cigarette smoke can turn a non-smoker into a passive smoker, putting the individual at the same risk if not greater. Consequently, laws have been passed banning smoking on buses and trains due to the risk of fire that smoking can also cause. Most work places now have a no-smoking policy. Restaurants and other public places provide a smoking area for smokers.

Smoking is a habit. You can break any habit if you want to enough. But you must bring that habit back under the control of your will. Nobody can do this for you. The decision has to come from inside yourself. Behaviours, which are positively directed at the goal of 'becoming healthy', requires reinforcement. The benefits of stopping smoking include immediate reduction in the risks of smoking, lower insurance premiums and easier admission to social activities and places that ban smoking. Individuals can get help to stop smoking from a variety of methods such as books and pamphlets and there are also support groups that can help an individual to stop smoking. A number of devices are also available including nicotine patches and gum. Different organisations for example London University is doing research into herbs such as St. John's wort, which is an herbal supplement, which can help smokers to quit. An anti-smoking drug Zyban is now available on the NHS prescription. Anything that helps smokers give up is good news.

On the contrary, advertising agencies working on behalf of the tobacco industry employ devious tactics in their attempt to expand the cigarette market. These tactics that undermine government anti-smoking policy, are insuperable barriers. A recent report (published by the Cancer Research Campaign) is an analysis of thousands of documents from the five main advertising agencies used by the tobacco industry in the UK, which were released after sessions the Commons health committee, which investigated cigarette promotions this year. The report provides evidence that the tobacco manufacturers have not given up the battle to expand their markets, in spite of fierce opposition (The Guardian). Other documents analysed by Gerard Hastings and Lynn Macfadyen of the CRC's Centre for Tobacco Control Research of Strathclyde University show that the advertising agencies were willing to condone cigarette smuggling if it helped to establish a new brand.

Government concerns are about the social and economic impact of preventable illnesses attributable to smoking and play a major role in regulating smoking. There are huge annual costs of treating diseases associated with smoking including cancer of the larynx, oral cavity, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas. Smoking is also known to increase the risk of dying from chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In America recently, a large tobacco group agreed to pay damages to five state. Of course what should be of most concern is that these disease can devastate lives.

The tobacco industry has received criticism for its role in encouraging smoking, particularly in young people. The research organisations should continue to provide evidence that will aid in this regard. It is very difficult to stop smoking, mostly because smokers crave the effect of the nicotine in the smoke, known for its ability to induce dependence. Stopping smoking also causes various reactions like overeating. Ultimately the decision to stop smoking rests with the individual and there should always be resources and support available.

In conclusion, all the above factors need to be carefully balanced and the evidence is that governments and individuals need to always do more to protect health from the risks of smoking.

REFERENCES

Baldwin, D. (1985) All about health, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Blaxter, M. (1990) HEALTH AND LIFESTYLES, London: Tavistock/Routledge.

'The Guardian' (4 Oct., 00) Dirty war to woo new smokers revealed

CD ROM BODYWORKS 5.0 (1993-1995), London: SoftKey International Ltd.

CD ROM Smoking, Microsoft Encarta 97 Encyclopaedia (1993-1996).

Hamburg et al., (1982). Lifestyles. All about health, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

World Health Organisation WHO 1946.

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Caroline Ayanru

October 00