Smokers are not selfish
Smokers are not selfish is an health campaign taking place in Nepal with the aim of inspiring individuals to quit smoking.[1] This event spans two weeks, culminating on February 14, 2024, which aligns with Valentine's Day and Vasant Panchami.[2][3]This initiative has captured public attention, leading to smokers making commitments to quit the habit.[4]
Background
In alignment with Hindu mythology, Vasant Panchami is associated with the worship of Goddess Saraswati, symbolizing knowledge and wisdom. The launch of this campaign on Valentine's Day holds special significance, as it encourages individuals to make a meaningful sacrifice, expressing love to their dear ones by giving up smoking with a purposeful intention.[5][6]
Tobacco Use in Nepal
According to the STEPS survey II carried out in 2019 by Nepal Health Research Council and the Government of Nepal with technical support from the WHO , 28.9 per cent adults (aged 15-69 years) use either smoked or Smokeless tobacco products.[7] Among them 17.1 percent are currently smoking. The average age for initiation of smoking among those who smoke daily is 17.7 for men, 18.4 for female and 17.8 for both sexes.[8]
Health Impact
Out of 8 million deaths due to tobacco consumption per year worldwide, 1.3 million are attributed to passive smoking which mainly affects children, elderly and chronic diseased individuals. Among 1.3 billion tobacco users across the world, 80 percent of burden is in Lower and Middle Income countries like Nepal that further signifies the importance of this campaign.[9][10]
Public participation
In his editorial for Nagarik Daily, Editor-in-Chief Gunaraj Luitel highlights the distinctive and constructive nature of the ongoing campaign. He encourages individuals to contribute their support at their respective levels for this noteworthy public initiative.[11]
References
- ^ "Family First: Dr. Anil's Love-Infused Anti-Smoking Initiative". GorakhaPatra. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
- ^ त्यागौं, स्वास्थ्यखबर :: आफ्ना लागि नभए पनि मायालुको लागि धूमपान. "आफ्ना लागि नभए पनि मायालुको लागि धूमपान त्यागौं". आफ्ना लागि नभए पनि मायालुको लागि धूमपान त्यागौं. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
- ^ "आफ्ना लागि नभए पनि मायालुको लागि धूमपान त्याग्न डा ओममूर्तिको आग्रह". रेडियो नेपाल. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
- ^ Republica. "Senior cardiologist Anil urges to quit smoking for the sake of loved ones". My Republica. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
- ^ काठमाडौँ, नागरिक. "आफ्ना लागि नभए पनि मायालुको लागि धूम्रपान त्याग्न डा.ओममूर्तिको आग्रह". nagariknews.nagariknetwork.com (in Nepali). Retrieved 2024-02-03.
- ^ "मायालुका लागि भए पनि धूमपान त्याग्न डा.ओममूर्तिको आग्रह". GorakhaPatra. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
- ^ "A brilliant reason to quit tobacco - COVID-19". www.who.int. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
- ^ "STEPS Survey II, 2019" (PDF).
- ^ "Tobacco". www.who.int. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
- ^ Theilmann, Michaela; Lemp, Julia M.; Winkler, Volker; Manne-Goehler, Jennifer; Marcus, Maja E.; Probst, Charlotte; Lopez-Arboleda, William A.; Ebert, Cara; Bommer, Christian; Mathur, Maya; Andall-Brereton, Glennis; Bahendeka, Silver K.; Bovet, Pascal; Farzadfar, Farshad; Ghasemi, Erfan (2022-08-30). "Patterns of tobacco use in low and middle income countries by tobacco product and sociodemographic characteristics: nationally representative survey data from 82 countries". BMJ. 378: e067582. doi:10.1136/bmj-2021-067582. ISSN 1756-1833. PMID 36041745.
- ^ काठमाडौँ. "धूमपानविरुद्ध 'माया अस्त्र'". nagariknews.nagariknetwork.com (in Nepali). Retrieved 2024-02-04.