World No Tobacco Day highlights risks associated with tobacco use

Today is World No Tobacco Day. This year's theme is ‘ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship’.

The yearly event is organised by the World Health Organisation.

World No Tobacco Day highlights the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocates for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. WHO says that tobacco is the single most preventable cause of death globally and is currently responsible for killing one in 10 adults worldwide.

In an associated ADA Inc. Media Release highlighting the impact of smoking on oral health, Dr Peter Alldritt, Chair of the ADA’s Oral Health Committee, said: "Sixty-three percent of all deaths are caused by non-communicable diseases, with tobacco as the greatest risk factor. One of these non-communicable diseases is oral cancer. Oral cancer is one of the least understood conditions amongst the general public and yet, each day, an average of three Australians will be diagnosed with it."

 

Prolonged tobacco use in all its forms (smoking, chewing, smokeless tobaccos, betel nut and bidis) is still the most prevalent cause of oral cancer. The ADA also warns Australians that they can still be at risk of oral cancer even if they do not smoke. For more information, see www.oralcancerfacts.com.au