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Tobacco and healthMonday, February 09, 2009
Editorial,
It is a self-evident truth that smoking curtails our right to life as human beings. Interestingly tobacco firms are conscious of this reality, yet they continue to support innovations in this regard, supplying the world with new brands of tobacco. But clearly, those who consume these potentially deadly products are also aware of the fact that they are compromising theirs as well as the health of those around them. The baffling phenomenon about the whole thing, however, is that despite warning of serious implications in tobacco consumption, the numbers of potential victims continue to rise. This is purely a matter of naivety, and it is exactly what the industry is taking advantage of. The focus, therefore, should now be on how to counter this increasingly indifferent industry. But the first question that comes to mind is where is the utility of a good that sends human beings to the grave? It is high time that people became aware that we owe a responsibility to safeguarding the lives of the people we live with as much as we do for our own lives. And we must also take note of the fundamental reality that it is mandatory upon the rest of society to jealously protect this right. Steps being taking by the Department of State for Health, to reinforce the law that criminalizes public smoking, are indeed commendable and worthy of support. This country of ours, as youthful as it is, is jealously yearning for development, which can be achieved only by a healthy populace. Therefore, any ugly habit that compromises the health of the citizenry deserves appropriate uncompromising counter force. The Department of State for Health, particularly the unit of Public and Environmental Health, should note that they have the biggest task in this regard. They should endeavour to ensure that the citizenry transforms knowledge into action and practice. This can be done through massive public awareness campaign on the deadly effects of smoking, as well as keeping a watchful eye on society to ensuring that culprits are caught and punished, according to the dictates of the law. We acknowledge, of course, that the media can be instrumental in this crusade. The simple message is that smoking kills. Those who smoke have the option to choose between life and death; and whoever chooses death by insisting on the consumption of tobacco products must not invite others to accompany them to the grave. That is to say they must not smoke in the open, where second hand smoking can be attracted. Our advice to all smokers is: please quit; and for non-smokers, never try it. Author: DO
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