“Recent studies show that school and college students are using e-cigarettes and other smokeless tobacco (SLT) forms, more than adults everywhere, and about 37 million young population aged 13-15 is using tobacco globally.
Surprisingly in Pakistan, 1,200 to 1,500 youngsters begin smoking every day, and this results in hundreds of thousands of new smokers each year, many of whom will suffer from tobacco-related illnesses in the future.”
These views were shared by Muhammad Qasim, philanthropist and CEO of National Health Services (NHS) Diagnostics, at a public health awareness seminar yesterday, in connection with World No-Tobacco Day as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Smokers should be regularly screened for lung cancer as the condition remains the deadliest form of the disease in Pakistan, he said and emphasized that the government of Pakistan must take a strong action against the tobacco industry to protect its young citizens.
Guest speaker Prof Ahmad Nadeem Abbasi, consultant radiation oncologist, chair education programmes at the AKU and general secretary of the Radiation Oncology Society of Pakistan, highlighted that smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer (90%) across the globe, and lung cancer impacts approximately 2.1 million people and causes an estimated 1.8 million deaths every year.
The risk of lung cancer is significantly higher in smokers, with lifelong smokers having 20-40 times the risk compared to non-smokers. What is even more worrying is that smoking is linked to all major histologic types of lung cancer, including squamous, small cell, large cell, and adenocarcinoma. Lung cancer, once considered a man’s disease is now the top cancer killer in women, claiming more lives annually than breast cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer combined, Prof Abbasi said.
Smoking also causes 16 types of cancer and responsible for about 30% of all cancer deaths, and at least 80% of deaths from bronchitis and emphysema, he added.
“Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, responsible for 17% of all heart disease deaths and it claims 250,000 deaths per year in Pakistan. In fact, smoking damages the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other CVDs. Quitting smoking significantly reduces the risk of CVDs and can prevent further damage” said guest of honor, Prof Faisal Ahmed, consultant cardiologist & HoD of the cardiology department at the LNH & OMI Group of Hospitals.
“If anyone does not smoke but sits in a surrounding where there is smoke, it is as if they smoked 200 cigarettes,” said Prof Faisal while highlighting the ill effects of secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke can cause health problems for pregnant women, babies, and young children. Children and babies who are around tobacco smoke are more likely to have ear infections and asthma. They are also at higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
In order to stop smoking and vaping for good, Prof Faisal recommended these tips: Set your “quit day” and take a “no smoking or vaping” pledge.
Stop smoking or vaping all at once on your quit day. This method works best for many people because it doesn’t drag out the quitting process.
Try nicotine replacement therapy e.g. Varenicline, Bupropion, nicotine chewing gum, nicotine inhaler or nose spray or nicotine patch.
Heavily engage in physical activities, stay active to distract and improve your mood, and visit non-smoking friends. Think about your loved ones, remember the people who care about you. Remind yourself of the benefits, keep the positive outcomes in mind. Try a new hobby that occupies your hands, such as painting, playing an instrument, woodworking or knitting.
Get rid of every cigarette, vape, match, lighter, ashtray and any other tobacco product in your home, office and car.
“People who smoke are 30 to 40 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than people who don’t smoke. The more cigarettes you smoke, the higher your risk for type 2 diabetes. Smoking can cause diabetes by interfering with the normal function of your cells. The chemicals in cigarette smoke (7,000 in which 70 are known carcinogen) harm your body’s cells and can cause inflammation throughout the body, which may make your insulin less effective, when chemicals from cigarette smoke meet oxygen in the body, this process can also cause cell damage, called oxidative stress. Both oxidative stress and inflammation may increase your risk of developing diabetes, People who smoke have a higher risk of belly fat, which can raise your risk for type 2 diabetes, even if you aren’t overweight.”
These facts were shared by chief guest Prof. M. Zaman Sheikh, consultant diabetologist and endocrinologist and founder member and ex-vice president of the Pakistan Endocrine Society.
He said people with diabetes who smoke are also more likely to have serious health problems from diabetes, such as higher risks for serious complications including. Smoking increases bad cholesterol (LDL) and lowers good cholesterol (HDL) levels. Over time, high cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease.
Prof. Zaman Sheikh further explained that people who have diabetes and smoke have a much higher risk of blood vessel damage from inflammation. Blood vessels stiffen when they are damaged, and this leads to high blood pressure. Compared to people who don’t smoke, people who smoke and have diabetes are more likely to develop protein in their urine and subsequent terminal renal failure.
When you smoke cigarettes, you can damage important parts of your eyes necessary for maintaining clear eyesight and vision. Smoking causes damage and scarring to small blood vessels which can lead to poor circulation to the feet and legs. This increases risk of infections and ulcers which is the leading cause of diabetic amputations. Smoking-related inflammation also causes damage to the nerves that can lead to pain, numbness, and tingling.
While quitting smoking can’t reverse diabetes, it can make it easier to manage your diabetes. The sooner you quit smoking, the quickly your body can start to heal. Quitting smoking improves blood circulation and glucose levels which regulates insulin, especially in diabetic patients, and reduces bad cholesterol as well as prevents many ailments and conditions, said experts.
Published in News Daily on 01-June-2025.
