PESHAWAR: Tobacco consumption leads to chronic diseases of chest such as cancer, bronchitis, high blood pressure, heart related disease, stomach aching and kidney failure. These views were shared in a press conference held at the Peshawar Press Club, in connection with ‘World No Tobacco Day’ under the auspice of Pakistan Chest Society. Pakistan Chest Society president Prof Arshad Javaid said that World Health Organisation report revealed that more than six million peoples died every year owing to over consumption of tobacco related products such as cigarettes, snaps, cigar and other tobacco contained stuffs. “The figure nearly doubles in under developed countries where 80% of the population directly attached with active smoking,” he said. Prof Arshad maintained that nicotine, carbon mono oxide and arsenics were active agents of every tobacco related products that were harbingers of every disease. He added that Pakistan was also among those underdeveloped countries where the tobacco utilization was increasing with the passage of time. “Unfortunately, despite, the presence of effective legislation in the form of 2002 ordinance that prohibits smoking in public space and promotion of tobacco contained brands, the implementation factor is totally missing on the part of federal government,” he said. staff report
