World no tobacco day should be a reminder of what tobacco does

World no tobacco day, 31 May 2014, should be used as a reminder for South Africans of the dangers of tobacco. Our youth continue to be the most vulnerable in starting the use of tobacco products. With information and education we can counter the clever marketing produced by tobacco companies which makes our youth nicotine addicts. It has become a norm for tobacco companies to advertise some of their products as “light”, filtered”, “low tar”, “menthol” and even “fruit flavoured” thus implying that these products aren’t as dangerous as they would ordinarily be. This is simply not the case. The scary fact is that according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) most smokers start smoking before the age of 18 and almost a quarter start using tobacco before the age of 10! According to the WHO, harsh anti-tobacco graphic warnings on packaging reduce the number of children who begin smoking and increase the number of smokers who quit. Today tobacco comes disguised in different ways such as in the form of water pipes, hubbly bubblies or hookah-smoking. This is prevalent particularly amongst young people. CANSA (Cancer Association of South Africa) can help people addicted to tobacco to kick this habit with its eKick Butt programme. This is a unique free online smoking cessation programme (http://www.ekickbutt.org.za/). Through this programme the smoker is guided and mentored as they quit smoking and non-smoking becomes a lifelong habit. I ask everyone to support World no tobacco day on the 31st May 2014 by agreeing to take a stand to protect everyone, particularly our youth, from the harmful effects of tobacco and the industry’s manipulation to make people nicotine addicts. Alternately, call us toll-free on 0800 22 66 22, email us at info@cansa.org.za or Write on Our Wall - be sure to join us on Facebook & Twitter and stay in touch with CANSA and others affected by cancer.