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The global tobacco epidemic is predicted to kill 10 million
people annually over the next 20 to 30 years, with the vast
majority of these deaths occurring in developing countries (Maziak,
Ward, Soweid, and Eissenberg, 2004). More than one billion men,
women, and youths in the world use tobacco products, which
equates to about 35 percent of men in developed countries and
about 50 percent of men in developing countries (World Health
Organization, 2005). Amongst women, 22% in developed countries
and 9% in developing countries use tobacco products, and these
rates are on the rise (Haglund, 2004). Tobacco use is the
second major cause of death in the world - and those deaths are
preventable. “It is currently responsible for the death of one
in ten adults' worldwide” (WHO, 2006). Tobacco use also causes
major economic burdens due to related treatment costs and the
lack of productivity in life. In addition, second-hand smoke is
responsible for serious health conditions in non-smoking
populations, including low birth weight and asthma.
Tobacco smoke contains many harmful chemicals, among them
irritants and systemic toxicants, mutagens, and reproductive
and developmental toxicants (National Cancer Institute, 2006).
More than fifty compounds in tobacco smoke are known
carcinogens. Smoking cigarettes and using other forms of
tobacco have been proven to increase risks for heart disease,
emphysema, and multiple cancers, including those of the lungs,
mouth, and lips. Smoking during pregnancy can also increase the
risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, premature birth, and
birth defects. In children, second-hand smoke can cause Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome, asthma induction and exacerbation,
bronchitis, pneumonia, middle ear infection, chronic
respiratory symptoms, and low birth weight.
Tobacco use
is of particular concern in the Middle East. For example,
Jordan's tobacco epidemic is particularly alarming. Although
only 8% of Jordanian women currently smoke tobacco products,
more than half (51%) of Jordanian men smoke these products
(WHO, Country Profile). Men smoke approximately twenty-three
cigarettes per day, compared with twelve per day among women.
Very few people had received counseling from a healthcare
provider about the harm of smoking. Another serious indicator
of this behavioral risk factor's severity is the rate of
smoking (about 20%) among school children between 13-15 years
of age (Hijazi, 2005). One-quarter of all men in this age
category smoke; 15% of their female counterparts smoke.
The Global Youth Tobacco Survey found that 34.3% of
Jordanian youths had tried smoking and that 26.1% had smoked
their first cigarette before they were 10 years old (Warren et
al., 2000). This shows that one's initiation is occurring at an
early age and that the exposure time is far longer. Therefore,
an increase in the prevalence and severity of chronic disease
is expected. Moreover, one-third of students aged 13-15 usually
smoke at home and the majority (67.9%) of them can buy
cigarettes in a store even though they are under age (Warren,
et. al, 2000). Already cardiovascular diseases, including
ischemic heart disease, and cancers are among the top causes of
DALY's (disability adjusted life years) lost in Jordan. This
number is projected to increase (Belbeisi, et al., 2006).
This epidemic is equally alarming in neighboring countries.
For example, the rate of smoking in Egypt among adult men is
43.6% and 4.8% among adult women; the mean starting age is
fifteen years (WHO, Country Profile). In Lebanon, 52.6% of the
adult population smokes, 35% of whom are believed to be women;
in Morocco, 30% of men and 10% of women smoke; and in Iran,
24.8% of men and 4.7% of women smoke. Although the prevalence
of female smokers has traditionally been low due to the Eastern
Mediterranean region's cultural and social values, this
difference is slowly disappearing as women's use of tobacco
continues to increase.
*References included in report
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