World No Tobacco Day brings awareness to more people worldwide on the dangers and health risks of smoking tobacco.
Health risks of smoking tobacco include, but are not limited to:
- Reduced life expectancy and decreased quality of life
- Increased risk of Cancers
- Breathing problems and chronic respiratory conditions
- Heart disease and stroke
- Diabetes
- Increased infections
- Dental problems
- Hearing loss
- Vision loss
- Fertility problems
- Osteoporosis and early menopause
Over 7 million people across the globe are killed because of tobacco smoking, with the leading cause of throat and lung cancers thought to be smoking.
We have seen a substantial decrease of 37% (2018-19) in smoking amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. But, smoking still causes 37% of First Nations deaths and 50% of deaths aged 45 years and over.
If you would like to quit, there are services available to you, including:
- The Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) program
- Quitline – you can call and ask to speak with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander counsellor
- Download the QuitBuddy app
- World Health Organization Quitting Toolkit