World No Tobacco Day targets women,girls

WHO said tobacco firms are spending heavily on alluring marketing campaigns targeting women as they gain spending power and independence,particularly in Asias booming economies. It is estimated that more than 8 per cent of girls between 13 and 15,or around 4.7 million girls,are using tobacco products in the Asia-Pacific region,said the WHO.

Tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world,currently responsible for the death of one in 10 adults worldwide,or about 5 million deaths each year,said the WHO.

Women make up about 20 percent of the worlds 1 billion smokers,but if current tobacco usage continues smoking will kill 8 million people a year by 2030 2.5 million will be women. Each day 3,000 people die from tobacco use in Asia-Pacific,with smoking and chewing tobacco among women and girls on the rise,said Dr Shin Young-soo,WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific.

Starting early results in addiction that later translates to a life of nicotine dependence,poor health and premature death,said Shin.

In Cambodia,17 per cent of women,but only one per cent of men,chew tobacco. It is estimated that over a half million middle-aged and older women in Cambodia chew tobacco,believing it alleviates morning sickness during pregnancy.

WHO is calling for comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising,promotion and sponsorship to protect women and girls from images that portray smoking as glamorous or fashionable. Only half of the nations in the Asia-Pacific have bans on tobacco advertising.