A new international study has found that public awareness of the serious health consequences of smoking has improved only modestly over the past two decades, despite years of tobacco-control policies and awareness campaigns.
The study analysed data from more than 240,000 smokers across 46 countries and found that most smokers understand that tobacco use can cause lung cancer. However, awareness of other major health consequences, including heart disease, heart attacks and stroke, remains considerably lower.
Researchers also found that many smokers are not fully aware that exposure to second-hand smoke can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and stroke among other people.
Published in the journal BMJ Open, the study suggests that graphic health warnings, tobacco-control measures and long-running public awareness campaigns have not completely addressed gaps in people’s understanding of the wider health risks associated with smoking.
Lead author Janet Chung-Hall, a scientist with the University of Waterloo’s International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project, described the findings as concerning, particularly given the serious health consequences associated with smoking and second-hand smoke.
Experts say tobacco use remains a major contributor to cardiovascular disease worldwide, with smoking-related cardiovascular conditions responsible for millions of deaths globally each year.
The researchers stressed the need for stronger and more effective public health campaigns focusing not only on lung cancer but also on the impact of smoking on the heart and blood vessels.
The findings highlight the importance of improving public understanding of the full range of health risks associated with tobacco use, particularly cardiovascular risks that may be less widely recognised.
Also Read :75-Year-Old Woman’s Yoga Routine Goes Viral
Today's E-Paper