Mohammad Hussain, Zamir Ahmed, Muhammad Sarwar Bhatti.
Tobacco use, a public health problem of epidemic proportion.
Esculapio J Services Inst Med Sci Jan ;2(2):11-8.

Tobacco smoking is increasing day by day. One of every three persons who start smoking falls ill and dies prematurely. The UN Health Agency says 4.9 million deaths attributable to smoking in a year now, are likely to exceed 10 millions in a year in next 20 years. At the present billions of dollars are being spent to support antismoking campaign all over the world. The efforts are being focused on different aspects like: creation of public awareness about hazards of smoking, introduction about the measures regarding prevention, importance of putting ban on advertisement and promotion of smoking, restriction on smokers activities, protection of non smokers from second-hand smoke, provision of free consultations and required supplements to those who wants to quit smoking and many more. The reported success rates of antismoking campaigns vary from country to country. The highest reported by the State of California Department of Health and National Cancer Institute; which includes, 20% lowering of adults smoking prevalence, 50% lowering of per Capita cigarette consumption. The California`s TCP (Tobacco control programe) has saved an estimated $3.62 for every dollar spent on program, is an other encouraging aspect. Materials and methods: This is a review article, literature survey was carried out from various available sources. In Pakistan, Federal Government had already enforced an Ordinance regarding the prohibition of Smoking and protection of Non-smokers Health since 30 June 2003. Moreover, through a notification “No Smoke and No Tobacco Use Places” had been identified very clearly. At the moment we need to implement it with full force and vigor.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com