World No Tobacco Day

World No Tobacco Day takes place around the world annually on May 31. It is intended to draw attention to the negative health effects of tobacco, which currently lead to nearly six million deaths each year worldwide.

To support WNTD, Pulse has put together some less-known facts that you may not know about tobacco and smoking:

• One of the chemicals added to enhance the flavour of cigarettes is Urea, a chemical compound found in urine
• After cigarette smoke is inhaled, it takes nicotine just 10 seconds to reach the brain – it can be found in every part of the body, including breast milk
• 20% of a cigarette is made up of sugar, and the long term effects of burning sugar into the body is not yet known
• Smoking cigarettes has been tied to the increase of cancer in household animals like cats and dogs
• The price of tobacco has increased by a huge 87% between 2004 – 2014 in Britain
• Around the world, 600,000 non-smokers die each year as a result being exposed to second-hand smoke
• About half of regular cigarette smokers will be killed by their addiction – In Britain smoking is responsible for 96,000 deaths a year

If you or a friend/family member is thinking about quitting smoking, here are some great reasons to do so:

• You’ll feel great
• Your bank balance will be healthier
• You’ll see an improvement in your breathing – not to mention a fresher breath
• Your general fitness will get better
• Taste buds will tingle as your taste and sense of smell will enhance
• Your stress and anxiety levels will decrease
• Most importantly, you’ll have cleaner lungs and a stronger heart

For more information about World No Tobacco Day please visit the World Health Organization.

To take the first step towards quitting visit NHS Live well.

The information in this blog is for general informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised guidance. The author(s) and publisher(s) are not liable for errors or omissions, and reliance on the content is at your own risk.