“A Flame at one end; a Fool at the other” - Covid 19; Smokers vulnerable

Studies available to date, says, that a connection is emerging in regard to patients who smoke have a higher probability of developing more rigorous symptoms of COVID-19 than non-smokers. Tobacco smoke is a mixture of more than 4000 carcinogens/toxins, and is a source of exposure to chemically-mediated sicknesses. The prospective relationship between smoking and receptiveness to COVID-19, as well as cruelty of COVID-19 symptoms are being further researched. A retrospective group study was carried out on 68 COVID-19 patients at hospitals in China between December 31, 2019 and January 14, 2020. The investigators account says, that a significantly higher percentage of patients with a history of smoking displayed a rapid weakening in health compared to non-smokers, signifying that smoking have a harmful consequence on 
COVID-19 forecast.

Tobacco mafia hired Thatcher for promotions

 Tobacco is a multi-billion dollar mafia in trade who paid Margret Thatcher millions of Dollars to advice on how to promote the habit in the third world.  They target the poor people in developing countries. The print media continues the agitation to check the ill-informed and naive from killing not only themselves others as well through passive smoking! Tobacco mafia has purposely employed strategic and destructive tactics to draw youth to tobacco-nicotine. In-depth research designed to draw a new generation of tobacco users, using product design and marketing strategies.  Multinationals ensure the millions who die from tobacco-attributable diseases are replaced with new consumers –youth.

They use of flavours attractive to youth, like cotton candy,  cherry, and bubble gum  which persuade young people to misjudge the health risks and to start using them.  Sleek designs, which are deceptive and easy to carry, are promoted through pop stars.  Promotion of “cleaner” alternatives products, with “reduced harm” to conventional cigarettes is another gimmick.   Brand sponsored contests and Celebrity/influencer sponsorships promote nicotine products. Point-of-sale marketing at outlets frequented by school children, including positioning near snacks, sweets, or soda and vendors to ensure they are displayed near venues frequented by young people using marketing materials.  

"More than 20 million Americans have died from tobacco over the past 5 decades; 44 million Americans continue to smoke and 470,000 die prematurely each year."

A medical specialist as State Health Minister was a long awaited luxury; out of 17 health ministers we had only a single medically qualified person holding the portfolio in the past;[ Dr. Ranjith Atapattu-1978/83]— Dr. M V P Pieris served just for three months in 1960s. The fearless lady, Dr. Fernandopulle could take over as anti-Tobacco/anti-Alcohol and Minister in charge of implementing long overdue Prof.  Senaka Bibile’s Drugs Policy at the end of Covid menace.  

 Western nations warned their people of the dangers associated with the fatal habit of smoking long before the American and European Tobacco Mafia introduced the toxic fag to us.   The ‘Christian Herald’ of October 1952, carried an article titled ‘Cancer by the Carton’, referring to a 1926 paper  by an eminent pathologist, Dr. James Ewing, a member of American Association for Cancer Research, written 92 years ago demanding for a public awareness campaign.  He wrote, “One may hardly aim to eliminate the tobacco habit…but cancer propaganda should highlight the danger signs that go with it.” 

Mafia’s deadly smoke can be extinguished only by a punitive, cruel, and harsh taxation policy. WHO on many an occasion emphasised on raising tobacco taxes in order to reduce consumption. It is regrettable to learn that the most Budgets in the recent past had ignored this factor. 25 rupees on a fag will compel most of the smokers give up which in turn will largely relieve nation’s Health burdens. 

82% of cigarettes are sold in loose 

Pictorial warnings are effective only with the future or potential smoker or the beginner than with the habitual smoker; but the latter hardly do come across a pack, as one cannot expect them to buy a full packet.  The amateur who lights up his first cigarette, does it just for the ‘thrill’ of it and invariably attracted to by a friend, hence will hardly see the warnings in the pack.  We cannot be happy and contended with 80% Pictorial warnings alone, it has little impact on the smoker, may be that the first appearance would create a shock, but quite naturally, would lose the anxiety after a few exposures. Market research had exposed that 82% of cigarettes are sold in loose form meaning only 18 out of 100 smokers see the warnings even if you cover 100% with such horrible pictures.
It has been known for a long time that passive smoking enhance the likelihood of Coronary Artery disease, infections in the respiratory tract, lung cancer, middle ear diseases, sudden Infant Death Syndrome and the birth of infants with low birth weight. Maneouverings by Cigarette mafia all over the world are difficult to curtail. There has been back tracking by the British government in postponing legislation in recent past to compel sales of cigarettes in plain packaging.

Following the Fourth World Conference on Smoking and Health held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1979, a paper from a tobacco company executive zeroed in on the significance of social acceptability as a key issue in the developing countries. Referring to the director general of WHO, who was famously known as an influential voice against smoking, the executive noted that, “…he pointed out the central role of the social satisfactoriness issue. It was just a confirmation of our own scrutiny that the social accept ability issue will be the vital battle ground on which our case in the long run will be lost or won. “

International journals such as Newsweek and Time carried huge cigarette advertisements which make smoking appear to be an essential part in ascending the social ladder. Propaganda has a great impact in countries that have not yet been inoculated by information overload. Many people still are inclined to believe anything that is in print or broadcast.

If all religious institutions sponsor anti-tobacco campaigns, it would help get the word about tobacco’s harmful effects out. It is estimated that 25 to 50% of the world population is unaware of the hazards inherent in smoking. Ignorance of tobacco’s harmfulness is even more common in many parts of the world. Temples and Churches [not busy with politics] could provide an effective counterbalance to the advertising influence of the tobacco mafia. It is only the Seventh-day Adventist Church that has been sponsoring smoking cessation programmes. Millions have kicked the bad habit in church-sponsored Five-Day Plans, which has been upgraded recently and is now called the Breathe-Free Plan to Stop Smoking. The clergy belonging to all religions should divert their efforts from politics and get involved in similar programmes.  

More than 20 million Americans have died from tobacco over the past five decades; 44 million Americans continue to smoke and 470,000 die prematurely each year. Yet, every day 3,000 youth puff their first fag. Nearly five million children alive today will die in advance during adulthood from smoking. The annual costs of medical attention of adults attributable to smoking are anticipated to be over US$140 billion. 
The subtitle, a contemptuous description of a lighted fag .., “A Flame at one end; a Fool at the other”, is a creation of anti-tobacco campaigners.   

Harmful Effects  of Smoking 

What people did not know couple of decades before is now coming to the surface with the changing times. The harmful effects of tobacco products and its related health problems are being increasingly acknowledged and exposed. The old concept that smoking makes you calm and attractive is not so palpable now. We observe that people live longer and healthier lives without it. Cigarettes are loaded with toxic chemicals and they are hazardous that can cause serious ill effects.   Few decades ago, with westerners becoming extra health conscious, the cigarette giants found it hard to boost sales in the West. South Asia turned out to be good hunting ground for the multinational mafia, who expanded markets. British American Tobacco, the parent company of our CTC merged with another tobacco giant, Rothmans. Since then the twosome have been targeting poor nations throwing billions of dollars into propaganda where advertising is banned, offering good santhosams to authorities both in state, political powers, medical institutions to attract new smokers and prevent competitive action.   

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