'World No Smoking Day' observed

While smoking in public places in the country is continuing unabated in violation of prohibition of Smoking Ordinance, "World No Smoking Day" was observed here on Saturday with a renewed pledge that efforts will continue to be made to raise awareness among public about ill effects of smoking on health so as to check increasing burden of diseases.
To mark the day, walks, seminars, medical camps were organised in which experts highlighted that apart from other health problems like cancer, heart diseases and live infection, smoking causes dental problems, ranging from bad breath, tooth discoloration and gum (periodontal) diseases. It also causes delayed healing process following tooth extraction, gum treatment or oral surgery, and reduces the success rate of dental implant procedures.
Studies show a direct relationship between tobacco use and decreased bone density. Bone mass is compromised in a smoker under the age of 30, leading to a smaller skeleton and less bone mass compared to non-smokers in the same age bracket. In women, due to the normal process of ageing and loss of oestrogen, normal bone loss takes place; in women smokers, bone loss is more rapid. Smoking is identified as a risk factor for osteoporosis and bone fracture. Osteoporosis can trigger bone loss for many years without symptoms until a fracture occurs, health professionals said. Smokers have a 25 percent increase in fracture risk and are nearly twice as likely to experience hip fractures, they added.
A free medical camp was held at Shalamar Hospital, where patients were facilitated by lungs tests, blood pressure check up and chest X-ray. Dr Saleem uz Zaman Adham, Dr Waheed Ashar delivered healthcare awareness lectures on the occasion.
While addressing a function, Minister for Excise & Taxation and Finance, Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman stressed upon the doctors community for launching awareness drive sensitising the people about hazardous aspects of smoking with a view to prevent TB, heart, lungs, bronchitis and various types of lungs cancer.
He said that billions of rupees are being wasted on smoking annually which is major cause of spread of deadly diseases like TB, lungs cancer and even cardiovascular diseases as well as other chest diseases. Mujtaba said it was the joint responsibility of teachers, parents, public opinion leaders and specifically the Ulema to play their effective role in this social service. He said in Pakistan itself, more than 40 percent of the adult population over the age of 45 suffers from one form or the other of non-communicable disease, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and even cancer and the trend seems to be on the rise. This increasing trend is likely to double the burden of disease in countries such as ours and clearly, is likely to have significant health economic implications as a result of cost of care and lost productivity costs, he added.
He further said that Punjab government is focusing on the provision of education and healthcare facilities to the common people specially people living in remote and far flung areas and has taken revolutionary steps through re-engineering of resources in the field of education and health so that modern educational as well as latest medical facilities could be provided to the people at their door steps. Under the directions of Chief Minister Punjab, the administrative affairs of the hospital are being corrected.
Mujtaba said that by increasing the health budget up to 102 billion of rupees, the present government has ensured modern health facilities and free medicines as well as air-conditioning in general wards to poor and resource less people. He said that huge amount of Rs 7.5 billion is being spent on the provision of free treatment and medicines to the poor and destitute in public sector hospitals of the province.