KARACHI, May 27: Pakistan stands poised to observe the ‘World No-Tobacco Day’ on May 31 for the first time after recently ratifying the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control. Tobacco consumption is regarded as a major health disaster, and is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the world today, with 4.9 million dying due to it every year.

About 5.7 billion cigarettes are smoked every year around the world.

Based on current data, an average smoker has 50 per cent greater chance of dying prematurely from direct or indirect effects of tobacco use.

Diseases caused by tobacco use include oral cavity, larynx, lungs, oesophagus, bladder, pancreas, kidneys, stomach and uterus cervix cancers.

Tobacco use is also associated with increased risks of heart disease, strokes and respiratory diseases.

Close to 75 per cent of tobacco users are in developing countries.—APP