□ Xu Xiaoxu, financial media reporter, Wen and Liu Bing
Today marks the 33rd World No Tobacco Day, and this year’s theme is “Protecting young people from traditional tobacco products and e-cigarettes”. The General Office of the National Health Commission recently issued a special notice to further promote the realization of the tobacco control goals in the “Healthy China Action (2019-2030)”.
What is the situation of tobacco control in public places in Xuzhou? What are the characteristics of the smoking group? What are the dangers of smoking? Recently, the reporter took to the streets to visit the current situation of tobacco control in Xuzhou, affected by the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the location of Xuzhou smokers “spraying clouds and fog” has changed: the number of smokers in public places has decreased significantly, and the phenomenon of littering cigarette butts has decreased significantly, but some smokers still report that it is difficult to quit smoking, and youth smoking is still a problem worthy of concern.
There are fewer people smoking in public places
At 9:45 a.m. on May 30, 15 minutes before Suning opened, about 20 citizens were waiting in front of the east gate of Suning Square. Two of the men smoked while waiting.
“Smoking is not allowed in the mall, and I don’t smoke in front of so many people inside.” A man who was about to enter the mall after smoking a cigarette said he smoked one outside the mall to “get by.”
Merchants in the Jinying, Gemdale and Suning business districts have posted eye-catching slogans saying “No smoking”. There were no smokers in the mall. A mall manager said the mall would arrange for staff to discourage customers from smoking in a timely manner. “Some customers will smoke in the bathroom, and we will check and discourage them from time to time.”
The reporter randomly interviewed a young man who smoked and said he was the owner of a nearby electronics market. Since smoking is strictly prohibited in the market, after two or three hours of busyness, he came out to smoke a cigarette to “relieve his fatigue”.
The reporter came to the Huaihai Road bus stop. There were more than a dozen citizens waiting on the platform, and none of them smoked.
Several hospitals in the urban area are places with more “smokers” in smoke-free public places. Although hospitals have prominently affixed “no smoking” signs, the restraint effect is not great.
When Mr. Zhang’s family was dining in a restaurant in the city, they found that several customers at the table were drinking and smoking, and the hotel was full of smoke.
“Drinking and smoking in restaurants is commonplace, and we can’t stop guests.” The restaurant owner said.
Similarly, in several restaurants in the city center, there are non-smoking signs. A casserole shop bears a large non-smoking sign that reads “No smoking, not good-looking” in large eye-catching letters, alongside a photo of a man smoking. However, when the customer asks for an ashtray, the waiter will provide it anyway.
Mr. Wang, a veteran smoker, analyzed that in public places where smoking is prohibited, “smokers” like to smoke in hospitals, restaurants, Internet cafes, station waiting halls and other areas.
“Some of these places are large in area and cannot be controlled by personnel; Others will not offend customers for the sake of turnover. Mr. Wang said that although he also knows the dangers of smoking, he cannot quit smoking.
The requirements for creating a civilized city make it clear that there is no tobacco advertising in the city, there are obvious non-smoking signs in public places and workplaces, and there is no smoking in smoke-free areas.
During the visit, the reporter noticed that there is no tobacco advertising on the streets of our city, there are non-smoking signs in public places, and the vast majority of people can do not smoke in non-smoking areas. At present, young men account for a large proportion of the smoking population, and those who want to smoke will consciously choose outdoor smoking, and the phenomenon of littering cigarette butts has been significantly reduced.
Smokers: Quitting smoking repeatedly, but not completely succeeding
“Knowing that smoking is not good for my body, I have quit smoking several times.” Mr. Wang said that it is really difficult to quit smoking, and he has repeatedly quit smoking several times, but he cannot completely quit smoking.
Yellow teeth, rotten lungs, aging skin, impotence, infertility, respiratory cancer… In the face of some horrific reminders on cigarette packaging, veteran smokers are still “moving forward”. Mr. Wu said that although the warning pictures on cigarettes made him feel sick and frightened, he still could not withstand the temptation of cigarettes.
Ms. Zhao is a white-collar worker who sits in the office all year round, because of her writing work, she will also light a cigarette to find inspiration when coding late at night, “Work pressure, often lack of sleep, relying on smoking to refresh is also a matter of no way, I hope to stay up less late and not smoke in the future.” ”
When referring to May 31 as World No Tobacco Day, the owner of the Tobacco Hotel pointed to the sign prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to minors in the store and said, “We will not sell cigarettes to teenagers.” ”
The reporter visited some convenience stores in a row, and the same warning signs could be seen on the cigarette stands. Many shopkeepers believe that parents and schools are very important for the education of minors, and they must do a good job in publicizing education and correct guidance on the issue of smoking, and resolutely keep minors out of cigarettes.
Respiratory experts: call for universal tobacco control
Zhao Jie, medical doctor, chief physician, assistant to the president and director of the respiratory department of Xu Mine General Hospital, pays attention to tobacco control and smoking cessation publicity for young students in teaching all year round.
She called for universal tobacco control. Zhao Jie believes that smoking seriously affects the health level of residents, first of all, chronic respiratory diseases, followed by smoking is also a risk factor for promoting cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
“Smoking is the most important environmental pathogenesis of COPD. Studies have confirmed that smoking is closely related to lung structural changes in COPD patients, and high smoking index may increase the incidence of bullae, pleural thickening, and more prone to emphysema. At the same time, passive smoking may also lead to respiratory symptoms and COPD. In addition, smoking is a non-infectious factor that exacerbates COPD symptoms. Smoking not only has long-term effects on the occurrence and development of COPD, but also increases the risk of secondary bacterial infection. Zhao Jie said.
In addition, smoking is also associated with the development of stomach ulcers. Secondhand smoke can cause heart disease in adults, lung cancer, and lung disease in children. Zhao Jie reminded that a small number of “smokers” smoke in the family for fear of affecting the health of family members and children, but seriously ignore the interests of public health, and smoking in apartment elevators and corridors makes innocent elderly people and children deeply harmed by second-hand smoke.
Zhao Jie said that adolescents’ bodies are in the process of growth, and smoking will cause serious harm to many systems of the body, especially the respiratory system and cardiovascular system, especially the negative impact on the physical and mental health of adolescents. Nicotine contained in tobacco products and electronic cigarettes is toxic to brain nerves, causing memory loss and lack of energy. Nicotine is extremely addictive, and once addicted to smoking, it is difficult to quit.
Tobacco dependence is a chronic disease
The United Nations World Health Organization designates 31 May as World No Tobacco Day. Data published in The Lancet Breathe at the end of 2018 show that between 2003 and 2013, the smoking rate of adolescents aged 15 to 24 in China increased from 8.3% to 12.5%. According to 2018 data, smoking rates among people aged 15 to 24 have risen to 18.6%. Among them, the smoking rate of young men reached 34%.
Tobacco dependence is a chronic disease, tobacco harm is one of the world’s most serious public health problems, smoking and secondhand smoke problems seriously harm human health.
As the 33rd World No Tobacco Day approaches, the General Office of the National Health Commission has also issued a notice requiring good publicity on No Tobacco Day and scientifically guiding young people to establish a health concept that rejects traditional tobacco products and electronic cigarettes. At the same time, we should take World No Tobacco Day as an opportunity to accelerate the construction of a smoke-free environment and the process of smoke-free legislation, so as to effectively protect the health of young people.
