Tobacco smokers are being reminded of the dangers of using tobacco and its products’
Using the occasion of ‘World No Tobacco Day’ which was celebrated last week under the theme: “Commit to Quit”, Health Minister, Dr. Irving McIntyre reiterated the decades old call to avoid the use of tobacco and its products.
This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what the World Health Organization (WHO) is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.
“As we continue to do public sensitization and advocate for smokers to commit to quit smoking, we ask you the smokers to avoid the use of tobacco and tobacco products,” Dr. McIntyre stated. “Let us all affirm our commitment to support and encourage those who need to quit.”
He called for measures to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and urged people to make healthier choices.
According to the health minister, research has shown that globally, tobacco smoking causes over 8 million deaths each year and it is a leading risk factor for chronic non-communicable diseases and that evidence also shows that smokers were more likely to develop severe disease with Covid-19 as compared to non smokers.
Dr. McIntyre noted that smoking can cause damage to different parts of the body including the heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, teeth and brain.
“The consequences of heart failure, cancers, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, all of which are the leading cause of death and illness in Dominica can be reduced, if you quit smoking,” he said. “The ministry therefore is encouraging smokers to commit to quit.”
Among the many reasons to quit smoking, the doctor said, is the possibility of reducing one’s chances of getting the many debilitating diseases that can be caused by the practice.
“When you quit you are also eliminating the risk of non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke from developing lung cancer and other related diseases,” he added.
He mentioned also that previous surveys conducted show that 1 in 10 adults in Dominica is addicted to tobacco and 1 in 4 of our children has already been exposed to tobacco smoking.
“It has been recognized as well that children of smokers suffer reduced lung function which can continue to affect them in adulthood,” Dr. McIntyre explained.
He said his ministry pledges its commitment, “to support you on your journey to quit.”
The health minister also disclosed that since signing onto the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) the Ministry of Health has championed the cause for increased legislation for tobacco control and promotion of good health.
“Measures implemented thus far include increase in taxation on tobacco products, sensitization of the public on the ills of tobacco use and secondhand smoke, development of educational materials to include; Say no to Tobacco booklet, developed for primary school children and reduction in smoking in public places,” he stated.
Activities for ‘World No Tobacco Day’ undertaken by the Ministry through the Health Promotion Unit included the training of key stakeholders in the Tobacco Cessation Programme, development of a Commit to Quit pledge handbook to empower smokers to quit and educational sessions at secondary and tertiary institutions and other private and public sectors.
The Member States of the WHO created ‘World No Tobacco Day’ in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.
We wish to that you people, Male, Female Of all positions should and must heed the request to stop this on going train 🚆 smoking daily on my roads, at your respective homes, Infront of your Family Homes🏡 , Babies, young children and guests etc etc. Do not tell us that you just can’t stop the smoking. Here, there and everywhere in the faces of other people who may have allergies, Asthmatic, irrespective of who is there in your presence. You all keep on inhaling and puffing your breathe and smoke in the FACES
and EYES of people in the public and in cars disrespectfully in the blatant faces of people in your environment and even disrespectfully in your home’s where there are your babies and young children observing you puffing and huffing all over the Family house 🏡 and in offices and other cramp environments.Those Parents mothers, fathers, sisters etc in house and outside must demonstrate some respect and Decency for All of our people, be it family, friends, etc Stop Puffing on US.
I used to tell an older man who smoked everyday that he will die of cancer if he keeos smoking. Hwe would smile and scoff off my remarks. years passed and he still smoked and smoked as he aged. One day i heard he had passed away. Do you know that he died in a car accident? it wasnt the cigarette. God bless the J.A.S. Garraway &Co. Ltd. – Tobacco Factory. Best Cigarette in the world. Amen. Keep in mind that tobacco factory is one of the companies that still export a local value added product. Respect that and support local.
Hillsborough Special uses all natural tobacco. no additives and fillers like the others on the market.
And did you know that Garraway import their tobacco.
We wish to that you people, Male, Female Of all positions should and must heed the request to stop this in in going train 🚆 smoking daily on my the roads, at your respective homes Infront of your Home 🏡 families, Babies, young children and guests be etc. Do not tell us that you just can’t stop the smoking Gerry there and everywhere in the faces of other people who may have allergies, Asthmatic, and irrespective of who is there in your presence and you all keep on inhaling and puffing out your breathe and smoke in the FACE and EYES of people in public and disrespectfully in the blatant faces of peoplyin your environment and even disrespectfully in your home’s where there are your babies and young children observing you puffing and huffing all over the Family house 🏡 and in offices and other cramp environments.
Those Parents, mother, father, sister etc in house and outside must demonstrate some respect and Decency for All of our people, be it family, friends, etc. Stop Puffing US.
And remember guys, smoking marijuana can give you the same cancer as tobacco, so please don’t smoke it when you close to other people either, who may inhale it and start smelling of weed. Thank you.
The health Minister is a smoker himself.
Useless talk! Why don’t they ban smoking in public, everyday I inhaling second hand tobacco smoke!
then ban public drinking also. Everyday i have to witness drunk people fighting and cursing people at the top of their voices.
If I am a doctor; and a chain smoker; how can I give anyone advised not to smoke?
I should pick the mote (beam) out of my eye prior to pretend I am giving advise to people.
Here is a quote: ‘Quack heal thy self stop smoking then advise me!’ (FET).
Quote by Friedrich Nietzsche: “Physician, heal thyself: then wilt thou also heal thy patient. “
Physician, heal thyself: then wilt thou also heal thy patient. Let it be his best cure to see with his eyes him who maketh himself whole.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra.
They both are bad, period.