My late father, who was a mechanic, was a chain smoker. All four of my brothers also smoke. I am fortunate that I do not smoke. My mother does not smoke as well, nor do my four sisters.
However, my father did not pass away from lung cancer, even though he was diagnosed with emphysema, which was probably a result of his smoking habits.
Currently, an increasing number of Filipinos are succumbing to smoking-related illnesses. Those who do not smoke are also affected by the harmful substances released by tobacco.
Last May 31, the Philippines joined the rest of the world in observing World No Tobacco Day. On this day, smokers are urged to refrain from tobacco consumption and its related products for a period of at least 24 hours.
On May 31, the international community will again observe World No Tobacco Day. Established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987, it was launched to draw attention to the problems associated with smoking and to help reduce tobacco consumption worldwide.
Nevertheless, World No Tobacco Day has several objectives. One of these is to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco. The primary aim of this day is to educate individuals regarding the detrimental health effects of smoking. Smoking ranks among the leading preventable causes of death. It is linked to heart disease, lung disease, vascular disease, and various forms of cancer.
Another objective is the promotion of tobacco cessation. This day also highlights the importance of quitting smoking and implementing strategies to assist individuals in overcoming nicotine addiction. This can be achieved through awareness campaigns, support for smoking cessation programs, and the provision of information on potential treatment options for addiction.
Another point to consider is the emphasis on the dangers of passive smoking. Second-hand smoke, which affects those nearby, poses a significant health risk. A special focus is directed towards safeguarding both children and adults from tobacco exposure in public areas and within their homes.
Finally, there is a call for backing governmental actions. The WHO utilizes this day to advocate for governmental strategies designed to decrease smoking rates. Such strategies may encompass the implementation of smoking prohibitions in public venues, raising taxes on tobacco items, prohibiting tobacco advertising, and endorsing programs for addiction treatment.
This year, the theme is: “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products.” According to the UN health agency, the campaign focuses on revealing the tactics that the tobacco and nicotine industries use to make their harmful products seem attractive.
“One of the primary public health challenges today is the attractiveness of tobacco, nicotine, and related products, particularly to young audiences,” the WHO explains. “The industry consistently tries to find ways to make these products appealing, adding flavors and other agents that change their smell, taste, or appearance. These additives are designed to mask the harshness of tobacco, thereby increasing its palatability, particularly among young people.”
Other tactics include:
Glamorized marketing: Sleek designs, attractive colors, and alluring flavors are strategically used to attract a younger demographic, including through digital media channels.
Deceptive designs: Some products mimic sweets, candies, and even cartoon characters—items children naturally find appealing.
Coolants and additives: These can make the experience smoother, increasing the likelihood of continued use and reducing the chance of quitting.
“These tactics can contribute to early initiation of smoking or nicotine use, with potential lifelong addiction and health consequences,” the WHO pointed out. “By making these products more attractive, the industry not only boosts their immediate consumer base but also makes quitting harder, prolonging exposure to harmful substances.”
“Each year, smoking-related illnesses cause the most deaths in the Philippines,” said Dr. Willie T. Ong, an internist/cardiologist, book author, and newspaper columnist. “What is worse is that smokers actually hurt the non-smokers around them by letting them inhale its toxic fumes.”
A study done by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology showed that 47% of Filipino males and 16% of females are smokers, one of the highest worldwide. Moreover, 33% of Filipino minors are already smoking by age fourteen.
“Smokers are people who are hard to convince,” Dr. Ong said, but adding that that there are over 70,000 scientific articles to prove that smoking damages a person’s heart, lungs, esophagus, stomach, bowels, prostate, and predisposes a person to all kinds of cancers. “It’s been proven beyond any doubt,” he said.
Tobacco is a product of the fresh leaves of nicotiana plants. It is used as an aid in spiritual ceremonies and a recreational drug. It originated in the Americas, but was introduced to Europe by Jean Nicot, the French ambassador to Portugal in 1559. It quickly became popular and is an important trade crop in major parts of the world.
“A cigarette is the only consumer product which, when used as desired, kills its consumer,” commented Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, former director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO).
