Cigarette: The Silent Killer in the World

Abstract

One of the main challenges of the 21st century is tobacco consumption, and in particular cigarette smoking (Control and Prevention, 2012). Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of death worldwide (Control and Prevention, 2011).
About 1 billion people around the world (800 million men and 200 million women) are addicted to cigarette (WHO, 2015). The prevalence of smoking varies across different parts of the world; this variation is due to economic development and income levels. More than 80% of adult male smokers and half of adult female smokers live in low or middle-income countries  (Ng et al., 2014).
Tobacco use kills more than 7 million people every year worldwide, and nearly 80% of these deaths occur in low-income countries (WHO, 2017). It is estimated that this figure will increase in 2030 (WHO, 2011). Tobacco use caused 100 million deaths in the 20th worldwide, if this trend continues, this figure will reach 1 billion by the end of the 21st century (Thun et al., 2013).

Letter

One of the main challenges of the 21st century is tobacco consumption, and in particular cigarette smoking Control and Prevention, 2012. Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of death worldwide Control and Prevention, 2011.

About 1 billion people around the world (800 million men and 200 million women) are addicted to cigarette WHO, 2015. The prevalence of smoking varies across different parts of the world; this variation is due to economic development and income levels. More than 80% of adult male smokers and half of adult female smokers live in low or middle-income countries Ng et al., 2014.

Tobacco use kills more than 7 million people every year worldwide, and nearly 80% of these deaths occur in low-income countries WHO, 2017. It is estimated that this figure will increase in 2030 WHO, 2011. Tobacco use caused 100 million deaths in the 20th worldwide, if this trend continues, this figure will reach 1 billion by the end of the 21st century Thun et al., 2013.

About 35% of men and 22% of women in developed countries smoke. These figures in developing countries are 50% and 9%, respectively in men and women Meysamie et al., 2012. About 84% of the world's smokers live in developing countries, nearly 1.3 billion people in the world Ng et al., 2014. According to the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) in 2015, the lowest daily smoking rates for men was found in Sweden (7.2%) and the highest rates was found in Cyprus (37.3%), while in women the lowest rates was observed in Romania (8.3%) and the highest rates was observed in Astriua General, 2014. Among 26 European Union (EU) countries in this survey, men's smoking prevalence rates was currently higher than women’s McCartney et al., 2011Oh et al., 2010statistics, 2017WHO, 2015.

The study findings for 187 countries between 1980 and 2012 showed that the age-standardized prevalence rate of tobacco use in people over 15 years old in 1980 decreased from 41.2% to 31.1% in men and from 10.6% in 2.6% in women. However, during this period, the number of smokers increased from 721 million in 1980 to 967 million in 2012 per day Moosazadeh et al., 2013.

The pattern of cigarette smoking is dependent on several factors such as age, sex, and socioeconomic status of individuals Ebadi et al., 2011. According to studies, the prevalence of cigarette smoking in men is five times higher than in women Moosazadeh et al., 2014.

Numerous studies indicate that smokers and nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke are inhaling many of the causes of the cigarette smoking (Allender et al., 2009). The results of a 50-year study showed that the life expectancy for non-smokers is 10 years longer than smokers Thun et al., 2013.

Tobacco use is associated with increased risk of developing various cancers, including lung, Laryngeal, esophagus, oral cavity, bladder, pancreatic, kidney, liver, stomach, Intestinal, cervical, Leukemia, and ovarian cancers Agudo et al., 2012McCormack et al., 2010Shiels et al., 2014. However, due to the decrease in the prevalence of cigarette smoking, the incidence of certain smoking-related cancers is significantly decreasing; these cancers include lung cancer (decreased in men), esophageal cancer (decreased in women), and laryngeal cancer (decreased in both sexes) Jha and Peto, 2014. Cigarette smoking harms almost all organs of the body and causes several diseases, including: coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), high blood pressure, Fertility problems, preterm labor, stillbirth, Low birth weight (LBW), Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and ectopic pregnancy Forey et al., 2011General, 2014Joubert et al., 2012Mostafa, 2010. Smoking cessation also reduces the risk of developing lung, oral, throat, esophagus and Laryngeal cancers King et al., 2012. so that, after five years of smoking cessation, the risk of developing oral, throat, esophagus, and bladder cancers decreased by 50% Jha et al., 2013.

It can be concluded that smoking, especially cigarette smoking, is one of the health problems in most societies, especially in developing countries. Therefore, tackling this problem requires intensified tobacco control measures, especially in countries that have more smokers. It is possible to significantly reduce the number of smokers by providing accurate planning and comprehensive training programs on smoking cessation and tobacco use outcomes.

Abbreviations

WHO: World Health Organization

Author contribution

All authors contributed in manuscript preparation. All authors drafted the first version and approve the final draft.