In commemorating
the Family Doctors' Day, today, the World Health Organisation (WHO)
report has revealed that annually, over five million people die
worldwide as a result of tobacco intake as they were affected by lung
cancer, heart diseases including heart attacks, chronic obstructive
pulmonary diseases, erectile dysfunction and birth defects.
Also, it was
estimated that over one billion people globally practice tobacco smoking
with reasons given to as recreational and fulfilment of some religious
rituals, among several others.
President of the
Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria
(AGPMPN), Dr. Frank Omo-Ehijele Odafen, who gave the 2016 theme as
"Smoking Cessation," disclosed yesterday in Abuja, that many passive
smokers such as children were affected by the behaviour of others.
To stem the tide
which he said has killed approximately half of long- term smokers when
compared to age mortality rates faced by non-smokers, the association
urged federal government to put some wholesome laws in place which is
expected to protect non- smokers.
He encouraged the government to legislate that every family should have a family doctor as according to him, a family doctor .
"All government at
all levels should ban smoking in public places/transport
systems.Government should institute high taxation on tobacco products,
National Broadcasting Corporation(NBC), should run advertorial on TV/
radio to discourage smoking, government should disallow all commercials
advertising or promoting smoking in the media- print and electronic and
government should provide social rehabilitation centres for those
willing to give up smoking. Cultural practices that discourage children
and youths from embracing smoking should be given more impetus and
government should legislate that every family should have a family
doctor," he advised.
Source:AllAfrica
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