TOBACCO is killing us and our planet. This was the theme of this year’s World No Tobacco Day, which is observed every year globally to highlight the adverse effects of smoking.

Smoking is believed to harm the immune system if continued for a longer period of time and is a major cause of heart and lung diseases. Chronic smokers are likely to develop life-threatening diseases, such as lung, stomach and mouth cancer.

The worst part of smoking is that it is addictive. A person begins with one or two cigarettes a day and ends up buying a pack or two in no time. Many countries have stringent laws to curb smoking. Our government also needs to ensure strict implementation of laws to save our young generation from the menace of smoking tobacco in various forms.

The government should raise awareness among the public against the ill effects of smoking, save the people, and protect the environment.

Shahzad Lodhi
Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2022