Tobacco kills up to half of its users and nearly six million people each year. While tobacco consumption is decreasing in some countries like the UK and US, it is increasing in low-income countries. Tobacco causes numerous health issues like heart disease, lung disease, cancer and complications in pregnancy. Smoking also causes other issues like tooth discoloration and skin aging. Young people smoke due to perceived coolness, peer pressure, rebellion and addiction. Secondhand smoke harms both adults and children. Efforts to curb the tobacco industry include taxation, health warnings on packs, and restricting advertising.

1. Tobacco Control
Bill O’Neill

2. Tobacco: Key Facts
• Tobacco kills up to half of its users
• Tobacco kills nearly six million people each year
– 5,000,000 smokers and
– 1,000,000 others – (28% children)
• Tobacco consumption increasing globally
– Decreasing in UK, US, Australia
– Increasing in low income countries

3. How common is smoking
Men Women Total
Australia 18.0% 15.2% 16.6%
Singapore 25.2% 4.2% 14.5%
Vietnam 39.7% 1.2% 19.9%

4. Smoking causes
• Heart disease
• Lung disease – emphysema, bronchitis,
asthma
• Strokes and brain disease
• Cancer – lung, also mouth, throat, kidney,
bladder, bowel

5. Smoking also causes
• Discolouring of the teeth
• Ageing of the skin
• Infertility
• Impotence
• Complications in pregnancy

6. Why do young people smoke?
• It’s cool
• Peer pressure
• Rebellion
• Effects of advertising
• Addiction
• Habit

7. Second Hand Smoke
In adults:
• Heart, lung, brain disease and cancer
• Complications in pregnancy
In children:
• Low birth weight
• Sudden infant deaths
• Asthma and lung infections
• Time off school due to sickness

8. Helping Smokers Quit
• Advice by doctors
• Assessment of addiction – time of first
cigarette
• Strategies: plan date; do it with a friend
• Nicotine replacement therapy: chewing gum;
skin patches
• Other drugs

9. The Merchants of Death
Don’t Persecute Smokers
The real enemy
is the
tobacco industry

10. Curtailing the Tobacco Industry
• Taxation
• Information on health risks
• Health warnings on cigarette packs
• Restrictions on advertising, promotion and
sponsorship

11. Facebook: Dr Roy’s Quest
• Like the Page
• Be his friend
• Chat at night
Created by
Prof Comm Students 2012

12. Thank You
Questions?
bill.oneill@internationalsos.com
RMIT Health Centre 8am-6pm