Tobacco Could Kill 1 Billion by 2100

[maine_coon]

Planet is overcrowded, I know. Still..

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UN Says 'Tobacco Epidemic' Could Kill 1 Billion People in 21st Century Unless Governments Act
By EDITH M. LEDERER Associated Press Writer

The World Health Organization warned in a new report Thursday that the "tobacco epidemic" is growing and could claim 1 billion lives by the end of the century unless governments dramatically step up efforts to curb smoking.

In its first comprehensive report on tobacco use in 179 countries, the U.N.s health agency said governments around the world collect more than $200 billion in tobacco taxes every year but spend less than one-fifth of 1 percent of that revenue on tobacco control, it said.

"We hold in our hands the solution to the global tobacco epidemic that threatens the lives of 1 billion men, women and children during this century," WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan said in an introduction to the report.

The WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2008 calls on all countries to dramatically increase efforts to prevent young people from beginning to smoke, help smokers quit and protect nonsmokers from exposure to second hand smoke.

It urges governments to adopt six "tobacco control policies" raise taxes and prices of tobacco; ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; protect people from second hand smoke; warn people about the dangers of tobacco; help those who want to quit smoking; and monitor tobacco use to understand and reverse the epidemic.

Chan announced the report Thursday at a news conference with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, helped fund it with a $2 million grant. The report examines the tobacco policies of 179 countries for the first time, Bloomberg said.

According to the report, nearly two-thirds of the world's smokers live in 10 countries:
China, which accounts for nearly 30 percent, India with about 10 percent, Indonesia, Russia, the United States, Japan, Brazil, Bangladesh, Germany and Turkey.

It forecast that more than 80 percent of tobacco-related deaths will be in low- and middle-income countries by 2030.

Tobacco Could Kill One Billion By 2100, WHO Report Warns

[GermanStar]

I've heard that death will probably get the rest. No one is getting out of this alive. What's the difference...

[drewprof]

I am going to take up smoking when I reach 80

[elau]

By the look of that number, one must believe that our energy crisis solved. I knew the American tobacco industry is good for something.

[maine_coon]

Originally Posted by GermanStar

I've heard that death will probably get the rest. No one is getting out of this alive. What's the difference...

I tend to agree.

But life is much simpler for the non-smokers now, especially in California.

[GermanStar]

Originally Posted by drewprof

I am going to take up smoking when I reach 80

Smoking is great, I love smoking. I quit six years ago, but I still dream about it, frequently. Once my daughter is grown and I can see the end of the tunnel, I'll probably start again.

[elau]

I heard one will lost 2% of cool when you stop smoking.

[GermanStar]

^ Huh?

[drewprof]

Originally Posted by GermanStar

Smoking is great, I love smoking. I quit six years ago, but I still dream about it, frequently. Once my daughter is grown and I can see the end of the tunnel, I'll probably start again.

Same exact thing here, I quit six years ago and we're the same age It must be generational or something

[dope]

The woman who packed my groceries tonight reeked of smoke.Quite put me off.To think we probably used to smell like that............