Tobacco is a very harmful and deadly drug, but did you know that it harms women more than men? Find out why this addiction is so dangerous. Recently, after an arduous debate of more than three sessions in the plenary session of the Congress of the Republic, Law 29517 (of my authorship) was approved, which is known as the anti-smoking law, for me it has been a challenge to carry out this law, which has as the only objective to take care of life and our society.
The World No Tobacco Day celebrations established by the WHO World Health Office (May 31) around the world encourage more people and countries to get rid of tobacco smoke and promote campaigns such as “100% free tobacco". Smoking kills more people in the world than any other disease and a supposed symbol of equality or emancipation has managed to increase among its many victims millions of women around the world.
Although the risks and damages are similar in both sexes, the social conditions that surround women are different, which makes them more vulnerable to them, in addition to exposing them to greater possibilities of suffering additional conditions linked to hormonal differences and reproductive function.
Tobacco consumption among women increases in cities, as the school grade and high jobs are higher and although for smokers tobacco helps them bear the burden of daily life, at the same time they are deteriorating step by step Their quality of life, that of their family, has been greatly increased by constantly exposing their children to tobacco smoke and that of their social environment.
The ideas of gender equality, social success and thinness are one of the greatest risk factors, especially in adolescents who, in turn, are venturing into new fields and think that this is one of those that will denote social acceptance. The additional harms that tobacco causes in women are related to reduced fertility and fertility and anti-estrogenic effects.
There are higher risks of abortion, preterm birth and ectopic pregnancies, in addition to considerably increasing disorders of the placenta previa, premature delivery, congenital malformations, increased perinatal mortality and impaired weight and height of the product, who are more at birth with low weight vulnerable to respiratory diseases, comprehensive development problems risk of death, as evidenced by research studies conducted.
Other damages are cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, bone density, cavities, bad breath and premature aging of the skin, so if you think that smoking is a pleasure, after knowing this, you should think better of it.
How does tobacco smoke affect non-smokers?
There are about 4,000 known chemicals in tobacco smoke, more than 50 of which are known to cause cancer in humans. Tobacco smoke in closed spaces is inhaled by everyone; therefore, both smokers and non-smokers are exposed to its harmful effects.
According to the International Labor Organization ILO, 200,000 workers die each year from exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke in the workplace. WHO estimates that some 700 million children, or almost half of the world's children, breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke.
Neither ventilation nor filtration, not even both in combination, can reduce exposure to indoor tobacco smoke to levels that are considered acceptable. Completely smoke-free environments offer the only effective protection. Contrary to common belief, smokers and non-smokers alike agree that there are smoke-free environments.
A smoke-free environment in bars and restaurants often enables bar and restaurant owners to save money, reduce their fire risks, and consequently their insurance costs. This often also allows for lower renovation, cleaning and maintenance costs.
Article 8 of the Framework Convention of the WHO World Health Office for Tobacco Control recognizes that exposure to tobacco smoke causes mortality, morbidity and disability, and asks countries to adopt and apply legislative measures that protect from secondhand tobacco smoke.
Laws have already been introduced in many countries in different parts of the world to protect people from exposure to tobacco smoke in public places. From our places we must continue to defend the right to enjoy indoor public places that are totally free of tobacco smoke.
