Thursday 2 April 2009

WHO BETWEEN TOBACCO AND ANTI-TOBACCO IS EXACERBATING POVERTY?


Straight from the great masters of public health - the WHO - who in an overflow of limitless compassion and immense concern for these less than fortunate citizens of the world, they state:

‘’Tobacco and poverty are inextricably linked. Many studies have shown that in the poorest households in some low-income countries as much as 10% of total household expenditure is on tobacco. This means that these families have less money to spend on basic items such as food, education and health care. In addition to its direct health effects, tobacco leads to malnutrition, increased health care costs and premature death. It also contributes to a higher illiteracy rate, since money that could have been used for education is spent on tobacco instead. Tobacco's role in exacerbating poverty has been largely ignored by researchers in both fields.’’

So God bless them, among others, they came up with two of the most efficient solutions in their exemplary philanthropic efforts to save the most impoverished of the citizens of the world and their families. And this despite their incessant proclamations that tobacco addiction is comparable to heroin and cocaine addictions! (Emphasis ours)

Experience has shown that there are many cost-effective tobacco control measures that can be used in different settings and that can have a significant impact on tobacco consumption. The most cost-effective strategies are population-wide public policies, like bans on direct and indirect tobacco advertising, tobacco tax and price increases, smoke-free environments in all public and workplaces, and large clear graphic health messages on tobacco packaging. All these measures are discussed on the provisions of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

And let’s not forget that they also refuse to hire smokers thus setting the trend for an ever increasing number of employers to do the same!

Who between tobacco and anti-tobacco is exacerbating poverty?

Why is tobacco a public health priority?

1 comment:

Andrina said...

Refuse to hire people but also refuse their right to a decent rental apart/condo or house. My own brother said " I would never rent a place to smokers" This attitude will force smokers to rent nearly anything that might be available. In many cases you cannot rent if you have children or pets and now smoking cigarettes has been added to the mix.

Soon children of smokers will not be permitted to attend school or daycare centers. One day we will be unable to insure a house or its contents and even automobiles if we are smokers. If all this takes place a generation of children will be denied early education while being forced to live in poverty! Not a pretty picture when there is a denial of basic rights.