Smoking not only affects developed, but also under-developed, countries, said Dr Shoaib Alam, consultant pulmonologist, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre.
He was talking to reporters in connection with “World No Tobacco Day” being observed on May 31 (today).
Highlighting the hazards related to smoking and tobacco use, he said that lung cancer was one of the leading cancers in both mein and women and 90 percent of lung cancer in males and almost 80 percent in females is associated with smoking. In addition to lungs, tobacco also causes cancer of mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, bladder and kidneys. Dr Shoaib reiterated that almost 20 percent of heart related diseases are linked with smoking and it is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease.
He also mentioned a report of WHO which says that the prices of cigarettes in Pakistan are much lesser than other countries and it is very important for the government to raise the taxes on tobacco products which not only will discourage the users to buy them but also can produce much more revenue for the country.