Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Public Health (MSP) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned young people that tobacco, regardless of the presentation (traditional and electronic cigarettes or vape, hookah), among others, causes damage to health, because they contain toxic agents that can cause respiratory and lung complications and even cancer.
During the “To Be Well” program, Dr. Vanhia Batista Rodríguez, national advisor on non-communicable diseases, of the Pan American Health Organization PAHO, said that 25% of deaths in the world are related to smoking, due to the toxic substances that are absorbed when consuming tobacco in any form.
“Therefore, in any form, tobacco is a risk factor that impacts health. Therefore, all forms of tobacco are deadly, there is none that is healthy. Even in the case of electronic cigarettes (vape), the exposure is greater because they disguise it with aromas and other elements and there is no regulation for their use,” said Dr. Batista.
He assured that nicotine is a substance present in this new type of smoking and is highly risky.
Dr. Vanhia Batista expressed concern about the number of adolescents between 13 and 15 years old who consume tobacco in the world, according to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), a reality that does not escape the Dominican Republic.
“The WHO/PAHO has already delivered to the member countries a series of recommendations to regulate the use of electronic cigarettes and in the country they have been working on a draft law for these purposes, which we hope will be followed up to reduce the amount.” of minors who have dabbled in smoking,” he highlighted.
However, he indicated that it is necessary to join forces to raise awareness among young people and families about the health problems that may arise from the consumption of these products; the harmful and lethal effects of hookah, electronic cigarette (vape) and traditional cigarette consumption, not only to those who consume them, but also to passive smokers, that is, those who do not smoke, but are exposed to the smoke of these substances.
“Para Estar Bien” is a program from the Ministry of Health that is broadcast every Friday through the frequencies 96.1 and 98.5 of Quisqueya FM, hosted by journalists Paola Frómeta and Dr. Pedro Taveras.
World No Tobacco Day
This May 31 marks “World No Tobacco Day,” which this year will serve as a platform for young people around the world to urge their governments to protect them from the abusive tactics of tobacco manufacturers.
The motto for this commemoration is “Protect children from the interference of the tobacco industry”, and seeks to stop directing tobacco products to this group of the population through different means, including social networks where the vast majority have access.
