The public health impact of tobacco

Tobacco use is the world's leading cause of death. accounting for 4 million deaths per year. On the basis of current use patterns by the year 2030, it may kill more than 10 million people annually. Tobacco is addictive in all forms and it increases the risk of many cancers, heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, osteoporosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and adverse reproductive outcomes. Even second-hand smoke adversely affects pregnancy outcomes and causes lung cancer and heart disease. Exposed children suffer more respiratory infections and asthma. Awareness generation, tobacco control legislation, de-addiction programmes and smoke-free environments would help curb the tobacco menace.