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Anti-tobacco demonstrators
in Brazil demand implementation of the national Tobacco Control Law. Credit:
Aliança de Controle do Tabagismo
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This was originally published by Global Health TV on March 2, 2015.
Between 1990 and 2009, cigarette consumption decreased by 26% in
Western Europe, but in Africa and the Middle East, it increased 57%, according to the
American Cancer Society (ACS). In response, many of these developing countries
are stepping up their efforts to fight tobacco with new laws and restrictions.
Big Tobacco is using its deep pockets to finance creative attempts to
circumvent those laws.
The problem is so daunting that ACS named rising use of tobacco in
developing countries as one of it “Three Top Cancer
Challenges of the 21st Century” earlier this month when it observed
World Cancer Day. Comedian John Oliver covered the issue very well in this segment from his HBO show
“Last Week Tonight.”
An estimated 8 million of the 14.1 million new cancer cases diagnosed
in 2012 occurred in developing countries with 82% of the world’s population,
according to Global Cancer Facts
& Figures, 3rd Edition. Smoking causes at least 12 types of cancer,
according to the U.S. Surgeon General, and accounts for a fifth of all global
cancer deaths. Tobacco use is the cause of nearly 6 million premature deaths
annually, notes the report.
