Nearly 6 million smoking related deaths annually in middle income nations: WHO

Despite various public health campaigns, smoking remains the leading avoidable cause of death worldwide, killing almost six million people a year, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, according to the WHO.

Further, if current trends hold, the number of deaths blamed on tobacco use will rise to 8 million a year in 2030. About 80 per cent of these are expected to be in low and middle-income countries, the report added.

“if we do not close ranks and ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, adolescents and young adults will continue to be lured into tobacco consumption by an ever-more aggressive tobacco industry,” said Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General, WHO.

Among the dead this year, 5 million were tobacco users or former users, while more than 600,000 died from  second-hand smoke, according to the WHO. Tobacco use is believed to have caused the deaths of 100 million people in the 20^th century. “We know that only complete bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship are effective,” Dr Douglas Bettcher, Director of the WHO’s Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases department.

Healthcare Executive-August 2013

There is a growing demand for a patient and compassionate listener who can help people to overcome their crises and live a better life through counseling.