Fatshimetrie, September 1, 2024 – Raising awareness on protecting children and young people from the dangers of the tobacco industry was at the heart of an awareness day held on Saturday in Fatshimetrie, Republic of Shimetrie.
Dr. Patrice Milambo, Director of the National Tobacco Control Program, stressed the importance of protecting young people from the harmful influence of the tobacco industry, thus preparing them for a future without smoking. He stressed the need for adequate training and information to raise awareness among young people about the dangers of tobacco.
According to Dr. Milambo, it is essential to start this awareness raising with the police, because passive smokers are also exposed to the same risks of diseases as active smokers. He highlighted the fact that 90% of smokers are likely to develop lung cancer, thus emphasizing the urgency of action.
Tobacco control is a priority, he said, and its integration into health zones is underway. The director presented a procedure enabling community relays and zone chief doctors to integrate tobacco control into their daily practice.
Community relays will play a crucial role in spreading the awareness message across all sections of the population. Research is underway to assess the prevalence of tobacco use, with the upcoming publication of a manual that will mark an unprecedented step forward in the history of tobacco control.
Professor Ndelo Di Panzu, a renowned toxicologist, highlighted the dangers of tobacco in all its forms for health, stressing that it is imperative to stop destroying one’s life with tobacco. He warned of the harmful effects of passive smoking on children, stressing that tobacco is a source of many carcinogenic elements.
The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the first international treaty adopted by several countries including Shimetria, is at the origin of the national tobacco control program. The involvement of all stakeholders, from health authorities to civil society, is essential to successfully carry out this fight.
In conclusion, protecting children and young people from the dangers of tobacco is a collective mission that requires total mobilization and strong political will. The health of new generations depends on our ability to act together to prevent the ravages of smoking.
It is time to take concrete measures for a tobacco-free future, where children and young people can flourish in a healthy environment protected from the harmful effects of the tobacco industry.
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