Tobacco Control

Bill O’Neill

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

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%

Smoking causes

• Heart disease• Lung disease – emphysema,

bronchitis, asthma• Strokes and brain disease• Cancer – lung, also mouth, throat, kidney,

bladder, bowel

Smoking also causes

• Discolouring of the teeth• Ageing of the skin• Infertility• Impotence• Complications in pregnancy

Why do young people smoke?

• It’s cool• Peer pressure• Rebellion• Effects of advertising• Addiction• Habit

Second Hand SmokeIn 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

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

The Merchants of Death

Don’t Persecute SmokersThe real enemy

is the tobacco industry

Curtailing the Tobacco Industry

• Taxation• Information on health risks• Health warnings on cigarette packs• Restrictions on advertising, promotion and

sponsorship

Facebook: Dr Roy’s Quest

• Like the Page• Be his friend• Chat at night

Created by Prof Comm Students 2012

Thank You

Questions?bill.oneill@internationalsos.com

RMIT Health Centre 8am-6pm