The global deaths from tobacco exceed eight million annually.
There are an estimated 2.1 million new lung cancer cases annually, with an estimated 1.8 million deaths from lung cancer globally.
Tobacco smoke accounts for more than 85% of lung cancer deaths.
Furthermore, air pollution is reported to cause 252,000 lung cancer cases and 304,000 lung cancer deaths annually.
In addition, the tobacco industry causes destruction to the environment with its pollution and damage, thereby further harming human health.
Its processes, which include cultivation, production, consumption and waste, have put additional pressures on planet Earth’s limited resources and fragile ecosystems.
It is estimated that about 3.5 million hectares of land are destroyed through tobacco farming annually, with deforestation of 200,000 hectares every year.
There is soil degradation, and depletion of water, fossil fuels and metal resources.
The tobacco supply chain and sales are also heavily dependent on resource-intensive transport modalities.
It is estimated that about 22 billion litres of water are used in cigarette production annually, and 4.5 trillion cigarette butts globally are not disposed of properly with their toxic waste and chemicals released into the air, water and soil every year.
The 84 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions released into the air annually – equivalent to 280,000 rockets launched into space – raise global temperatures and contributes significantly to climate change.
A single cigarette emits 14g of carbon dioxide in its life cycle.
Key messages
It is estimated that tobacco farming contributes to the deforestation of 200,000 hectares of land every year. — Filepic
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) campaign for No Tobacco Day on May 31 (2022) is “Tobacco: threat to our environment”.
The objective is to raise public awareness on the environmental impact of tobacco, from cultivation and production to distribution and waste, in order to provide tobacco users another reason to quit.
Another objective is to expose the practice of some tobacco companies marketing themselves as more environmentally-friendly or ecological, e.g. free of chemicals, recyclable, less wasteful of natural resources etc, when, in fact, their activities pollute the environment.
The WHO’s key messages on No Tobacco Day are as follows:
> Tobacco harms the environment
It is well documented that tobacco cultivation, manufacturing and use leads to environmental harm.
The tobacco chemicals, toxic waste, cigarette butts, microplastics and e-cigarette waste poison the world’s water supply, soil and air.
There have been attempts by the tobacco industry to distract attention from its environmental harms with donations to sustainability initiatives, some governments, and even unsuspecting organisations, together with attempts at reporting on so-called environmental standards, which are often established by the companies themselves.
One should be wary of and not fall for the tobacco industry’s attempts to “greenwash” itself.
> The tobacco industry should clean up their mess
The tobacco industry makes huge profits from its sales, as is evidenced from the profits disclosed by its publicly-listed companies.
There is a need to hold the industry accountable for its environmental destruction and they should have to pay for the damages and wastes caused, including recovery of the costs of waste collection.
> Help tobacco farmers switch to sustainable crops
An oft-quoted excuse for not reining in the tobacco industry is its potential impact on the livelihood of tobacco farmers.
Politicians have not had the guts to address this issue for decades, fearing the potential impact of tobacco farmers’ votes.
It is time that the government and policymakers provide a targeted road map to support tobacco farmers to switch to alternative, more sustainable crops that will reduce the environmental damage of tobacco cultivation, curing and manufacturing, while continuing implementation of tobacco control measures.
> Quit tobacco to save the planet
Tobacco smoke is a major contributor to air pollution and human disease.
The fine particles in tobacco smoke are risk factors for chronic lung disease, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and lung cancer.
Smoking is also a risk factor for impaired foetal growth and several medical conditions like heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
It increases the risk of tuberculosis, certain eye diseases and immune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis.
Smoking tobacco indoors is a major contributor to air pollution.
The toxic products released into the air increases the risk of exposure of everyone in the room.
It has been estimated that secondhand smoking is responsible for 1.2 million premature deaths annually worldwide, in addition to contributing to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
An Italian study reported that three cigarettes caused 10 times more pollution than diesel exhaust from one car.
A 2018 study estimated that the total global economic cost of smoking from health expenditures and productivity losses was equivalent to about 1.8% of the world’s annual gross domestic product (GDP), with about 40% of this cost incurred in developing countries.
Begin harm reduction
Every cigarette smoked or tobacco product used wastes precious resources.
Tobacco smoke is a risk factor for a number of lung diseases, including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, tuberculosis and lung cancer. — 123rf.com
Tobacco smoke contains greenhouse gasses, i.e. nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, which increase air pollution levels and consequential climate change.
Quit tobacco for your health and the health of planet Earth.
If you are a smoker, consult your general practitioner (GP) or respiratory specialist on measures to reduce harm from your usage of tobacco.
If you have a family member or colleague who is a smoker, persuade him or her to consult a GP or respiratory specialist on tobacco harm reduction.
We should also always insist on no smoking indoors.
Everyone has a role to play in saving the planet from the effects of climate change, of which tobacco production and smoke is a major contributor.
Dr Milton Lum is a past president of the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations and the Malaysian Medical Association. For more information, email [email protected]. The views expressed do not represent that of organisations that the writer is associated with. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
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