Tobacco Free Initiative

Tobacco Free Initiative

The Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI) was established by World Health Organization in July 1998 to focus international attention, resources and action on the global tobacco epidemic.


TFI's objective is to reduce the global burden of disease and death caused by tobacco, thereby protecting present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. To accomplish its mission, TFI:

Provides global policy leadership;
Encourages mobilization at all levels of society; and
Promotes the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), encourages countries to adhere to its principles, and supports them in their efforts to implement tobacco control measures based on its provisions
To know more about the TFI, please visit the website of the website of the World Health Organization http://www.who.int/tobacco/en/

Health Consequences of Smoking

Health Consequences of Smoking

Heart and blood vessel diseases

•   Atherosclerosis (blockage of blood vessels) leading to

-          coronary heart disease,

-          stroke

-           Abdominal aortic aneurysm

-           Peripheral vascular disease (may cause gangrene in the legs)

Erectile dysfunction or impotence

Cancer

•   Cancers of the bladder, cervix, oesophagus, kidney, larynx, lung, oral cavity and pharynx,pancreas,stomach

•   Precancerous lesions: Leucoplakia, erythroplakia of the oral cavity6–8

Respiratory diseases

•   Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Chronic bronchitis

•    Pneumonia, bronchitis and other respiratory infections

•    Reduced respiratory function in infants

•   Respiratory effects in childhood and adolescence: Decreased physical fitness, potential        retardation in the rate of lung growth and the level of maximum lung function among children and adolescents

•  

Reproductive effects

•   Foetal death and stillbirth: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

•   Fertility: Delayed conception (primary and secondary infertility)

•   Low birth weight: Foetal growth restriction and preterm delivery

•   Pregnancy complications: Premature rupture of membranes, abruptio placentae and placenta praevia

Other effects

•   Cataract

•   Diminished health status, poor surgical outcomes related to wound healing and respiratory

complications

•   Low bone density among postmenopausal women, and risk of hip fractures

•   Peptic ulcer disease, periodontitis