Fundamentals of Tobacco Interventions

Module 1

LO1, LO2

A Global Issue

Tobacco use is the leading cause of premature and preventable disease and death worldwide and is implicated in countless disorders and diseases (Eriksen, MacKay, Schluger, Gomeshtapeh, & Drope, 2015). Currently, global tobacco use is set on a trajectory to cause 1 billion deaths in the 21st century, by the year 2100 (Eriksen et al., 2015). Second hand smoke is also an issue as it contributes to death and disease and impacts more people than just those who use tobacco.

The graph below shows the prevalence rates of tobacco use for a few countries. As you review the statistics, note that Canada has tobacco use prevalence rate of 18.1% (Statistics Canada, 2014).

World continents

In India, tobacco is the leading cause of smoking associated excess deaths

Greece has the highest percentage of daily smoker females (Older than 15)

34.69%

48%

of cigarettes are consumed in the Western Pacific

The country that has the highest cigarette use is China, more than the next 29 top cigarette-consuming combined

Indonesia has the highest percentage of daily smoker males (Older than 15)

57.14%

This information for all countries is available in the World Health Organization's Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases. Click here to access the report.

Adverse Health Consequences

With over 7000 chemicals found in tobacco, hundreds of which are toxic, it is not surprising to note that tobacco has been found to have a negative impact on almost every organ (Eriksen et al., 2015). The interactive object below depicts the extent of the harm caused by tobacco.

Using your mouse, click and drag the disease names and match them with the parts of the body impacted by that disease.