Tobacco use is a global epidemic and it's quite tremendous in young people over the globe. Tobacco contains a chemical called NICOTINE, not only is it addictive, it is poisonous - it is used as pesticide for crops and a drop of pure nicotine would kill a person. Consumption of tobacco is increasing globally. Presently, there are 1.1 billion tobacco users in the world and the number is expected to increase to 1.6 billion over the next two decades. Everyday, 1500 young people become daily smokers and one third of them die prematurely as a result of getting hooked. Even youth who don't smoke often can suffer from the adverse effects of addiction. Addiction to tobacco impacts poverty and development. Nearly 80% of the worlds 1 billion smokers live in low and middle countries. Also, in poorer countries, up to 30% of scarce income is spent on tobacco, reducing funds available for nutrition, education and health care.

This chart is a clear evidence of the dreadful financial effect of Tobacco.

Further more, cigarette smoking by young people leads to immediate and serious health problem including respiratory and non respiratory effects, addiction to nicotine and other associated risk of other drug use.

Smoking at an early age increases the risk of lung cancer. For most smoking related cancer, the risk rises as the individual continues to smoke.

Cigarette smoking causes heart disease, stroke, chronic lung disease, cancer of the mouth, pharynx, oesophagus and bladder. Smoking cigars also increases the risk of oral and laryngeal cancers.

Smoking hurts young people's physical fitness in terms of both performance and endurance.

Given the dreadful consequences of tobacco and how enthusiastic you are to see your aspirations come to reality, its your priority to make the best choices.

If all young people said NO to tobacco/smoking, future generations will not smoke. We are the choices we make!

Say no to TOBACCO!

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