Tobacco use is a scourge

It was disturbing to read the recent news that our elected leaders have decided to offer government lands for the growing of tobacco. This is alarming, since we know that tobacco use is the leading cause of cancer deaths.

Tobacco and tobacco products cause the majority of preventable cancer deaths. Almost a fifth of deaths from cancer are caused by smoking tobacco. Lung cancer is the direct result of smoking tobacco and it is almost always fatal. Cancers of the mouth and larynx (voice box) are directly linked to chewing tobacco or smoking cigarettes. Unfortunately, these cancers are rising in Jamaica and other low or middle-income nations. When you consider that most Jamaican males are expected to live to their mid-70s, why should men reduce this time by 10 to 15 years by smoking?

Elected leader smoking

Recently, a picture was carried in a daily paper showing one of our elected leaders smoking. Surely, this is unfortunate, but highlights the significance of the problem of smoking. Smoking cigarettes is a highly addictive habit. It is no secret that the president of the most powerful nation is also trapped in this addiction to nicotine. In my own practice, men bewail the difficulties of ridding themselves of this snare.

Unfortunately, most victims of tobacco become ensnared in their youth, when it is promoted to them as 'cool' and 'manly'. So the Government's involvement in growing this dangerous but legal drug is to be decried as direct promotion of a dangerous drug.

Destroys the lungs

Long-term cigarette smoking also causes emphysema. This is a disease which destroys the lung tissue, resulting in 'empty spaces' in the lung. It causes difficulties in breathing, resulting in wheezing, shortness of breath, extreme tiredness and impaired quality of life. I call this disease 'the living death'. This is because the sufferers become exhausted with the slightest activity.

The picture carried of the smoking official also demonstrated that he was obese. Obesity and smoking are significant risks for ill health. Obesity is linked with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol levels and cancers. Smoking tobacco products greatly increases the risks for the same illnesses but, most of all, lung cancer and heart attacks. The combination of obesity and smoking is highly risky and should be avoided.

Our elected officials should lead by example. They should shun those who sell packets of death and should not promote the growth of this industry. They should encourage the use of land for growing vegetables, fruits and ground provisions. They should promote the development of youth programmes that foster healthy eating and regular physical activity at work and for recreation.

Dr Pauline Williams-Green is a family physician and past president of the Caribbean College of Family Physicians; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.