Southeast Asia Countries Say No to Smoking
Published on October 27, 2008 11:04 AM
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In every country more than one million of people use tobacco products every year. That’s why the World Health Organization (WHO) said that health ministers from 11 South and Southeast Asian countries have promised to promote policies to combat the use of tobacco.
The World Health Organization said 500 million young people between the ages of 10 and 24 in South and South East Asian countries are smokers.
The World Health Organization points out that most tobacco users in the region start at an early age - before they are 18 years old, and many even before the age of 10.
Khalil Rahman, WHO regional Coordinator for Tobacco Control, said that the health ministers have made a political commitment to support policies that will help cut the use of tobacco.
"We have this very good news, good political support from all countries in the region, they are committed to tobacco control, despite the fact that even in the government, there is some opposition, but as a whole government is committed to tobacco control," Rahman said.
The World Health Organization has urged the ministers to enact legislation to enforce smoke-free environments in indoor public places including offices, restaurants and bars.
India will soon also enact such legislation. Anmubani Ramadoss, indian Health Minister, said starting October 2, it will become illegal to smoke in all public places in the country.
"Although it is fantastic to be in a youthful country, we need to protect this very valuable resource from the harmful effects of tobacco," Ramadoss said.
But putting laws in place is not enough. The World Health Organization also wants to enforce a ban on all forms of tobacco advertising. It also wants to raise taxes on tobacco products.
Rahman reported that governments hesitate doing this, fearing loss of revenue due to a drop in sale of tobacco products. But he considers that increasing tax is effective.
"If you increase tax, you can earn more revenue from tobacco industry, and at the same time you can reduce consumption, and if consumption is reduced, you get less diseases and you spend less to treat those diseases," Rahman added.
In a study was shown that the populous South Asian and South East Asian region accounts for nearly one quarter of the five million deaths that take place worldwide every year due to use of tobacco.
Smokers may be giving up cigarettes for other forms of tobacco, such as cigars and roll-your-own brands.
