Africa-Press – Namibia. Maria David
AS the world celebrates “World No Tobacco Day,” Namibians are reminded to adopt a healthy lifestyle to prevent the long-term effects of smoking.
This year, the day is commemorated under the theme: “We want food, not tobacco.”
The global campaign aims to raise awareness about alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers, encouraging them to grow sustainable and nutritious crops.
Globally, an estimated 165,000 children die before the age of 5 due to lower respiratory infections caused by second-hand smoke.
Those who survive into adulthood continue to suffer the health consequences of second-hand smoke exposure, as frequent lower respiratory infections in early childhood significantly increase the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adulthood.
Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Esther Utjiua Muinjangue, emphasized that smoking cravings are temporary, while the dangers are permanent.
Muinjangue made these remarks on Wednesday while addressing the audience at the World No Tobacco Day commemoration in Oshakati.
According to Muinjangue, tobacco smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, responsible for over two-thirds of lung cancer deaths worldwide. She also highlighted that second-hand smoke exposure at home or in the workplace increases the risk of lung cancer.
“Your craving is temporary, but the damage to your lungs is permanent. However, after 10 years of smoking cessation, the risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker,” she added.
Muinjangue stressed that tobacco smoking is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition that narrows the airways and causes the build-up of pus-filled mucus in the lungs, resulting in a painful cough and difficulty breathing.
She noted that the risk of developing COPD is particularly high among individuals who start smoking at a young age, as tobacco smoke significantly hampers lung development.
Furthermore, Muinjangue urged the youth who use hookah pipes, also known as “Hubbly Bubbly,” to refrain from using these deadly and harmful tobacco equipment and products.
Muinjangue also reminded everyone that smoking ruins not only their own lives but also the lives of those around them, including the community.
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