Currently, more than 700,000 Spanish children (728,145), which means 10.3% of those under 14 years of age are exposed daily to tobacco smoke in their homes. We tell you this today because it is World Day without tobacco, and because 'exposure to tobacco smoke in the home is the one that has the greatest health importance because it escapes legislative measures and affects the most vulnerable population, the pediatric population'.
And if the large number of young children exposed to tobacco in their own homes is worrying, so is the 'more than one million' young people between 16 and 24 who smoke daily. It is known that the risks of cardiovascular diseases are five times higher in young people who smoke, than in non-smoking adults. During the 'Dialogues on Tobacco' Day, organized on the 28th by the Spanish Association Against Cancer, in which different professionals (and also citizens) participated, Alonso Becerril (of the Pequeños Pulmones Foundation), indicated that the problem with Tobacco use in households with children is much broader, since an insane model is offered to young children.
Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the world and the only product for human consumption that, used according to manufacturers' recommendations, is capable of killing. Cigarette smoking causes at least 30% of all cancer deaths
I'm leaving it: to help the youngest
Aware that the average age of onset of tobacco use is at 13.3 years, being a year later the beginning to the daily consumption (14.3 years) and giving the highest rates of smokers to the 18 years, the aecc makes available to the smokers under 21 years the initiative "I am leaving it".
It's about a nearby program where they are given information about tobacco, the consequences of smoking and the strategies to deal with the tendencies of their environment through a close language, adapted to the audience to which it is addressed. Since, it is proven that it is easier to quit smoking in the early stages than when more time has passed.
I conclude with this categorical recommendation of the World Health Organization: this organization urges countries to ban all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship to help reduce the number of consumers. Tobacco use kills almost 6 million people every year. The prohibition of advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco is one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco consumption.
