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Tobacco Industries Cost World 8 Million Lives, 600 Million Trees Annually – Official

Published

2 years ago

June 1, 2022

Editor

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted the dangerous impacts of tobacco to society, saying more than eight million human lives, 600 million trees, 200,000 hectares of land, 22 billion tonnes of water and 80 million tonnes of Carbon dioxide (CO2), among others, are lost to tobacco industries annually.

The global body made the claim in a publication on Tuesday as part of activities to mark this year’s World No Tobacco Day, which has been set aside by the organisation to sensitise the public on the danger inherent in tobacco, tobacco products and industries.

WHO, in the publication, also urged policymakers to consider banning cigarette filters, noting that they contain microplastics, which it said make up the second-highest form of plastic pollution worldwide.

It further explained that smoking is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. It said 70 out of 7,000 chemicals in tobacco cause cancer in humans and animals.

Tobacco harms the planet
In the latest WHO report, titled: “Tobacco: Poisoning Our Planet,” the global body said tobacco’s impact on the environment occurs at various stages, from growing and cultivation to the use and disposal of tobacco products.

The report states in part; “Each of these stages has negative implications for the environment, including the use of precious resources such as water and trees and the creation of pollutants through manufacturing.

“Production and consumption of tobacco also contribute to global warming, releasing 80 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the environment each year, the equivalent of driving 17 million gasoline-powered cars each year.

“Tobacco’s long history of negative health implications is well known, including the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancers and respiratory illnesses, but what is less often discussed is the harmful effects it has on the health of our planet.”

It added that tobacco cultivation destroys forests, damages soil and depletes water supplies, while manufacturing contributes to the production of toxic waste.

Impact on farmer livelihood, health
WHO further noted that tobacco farmers and their families are exposed to several health risks.

It added that as many as 25 per cent of tobacco farmers are affected by green tobacco sickness, a disease caused by nicotine absorbed through the skin from the handling of tobacco leaves.

In addition to direct exposures, WHO said “tobacco farmers often bring harmful exposures back home on their bodies, clothes or shoes, leading to secondary harmful exposures for their families.”

“Children are particularly vulnerable, given their body weight relative to the proportion of nicotine absorbed through their skin.

“Pregnant women are disproportionally affected by the harmful effects of tobacco farming and face a higher risk of miscarriage,” WHO said.

On agrochemical use, WHO said tobacco growing requires heavy use of pesticides and fertilisers, which it noted contribute to soil degradation.

“Land used for growing tobacco then has a lower capacity for growing other crops, such as food, since tobacco depletes soil fertility,” it added.

Water depletion

WHO also revealed in the report that the depletion of precious water resources is another harmful consequence of tobacco production. It said its production requires up to eight times more water than tomatoes or potatoes.

It explained that every year, about 22 billion tonnes of water are used in tobacco production globally, which it said is the equivalent of 15 million olympic-sized swimming pools, or roughly the volume of water discharged by the Amazon.

“These water-use estimates are likely an underestimate,” it said, adding that; “A large proportion of tobacco product waste, which consists mostly of cigarette butts, finds its way into bodies of water and water sources.”

However, WHO said taking legal measures to reduce tobacco growing and helping farmers to move into the production of other foods, seems to be more efficient.

Call to action

The global health organisation, therefore, called on the general public to advocate a cleaner environment free of tobacco product waste to protect the ecosystem.

It said: “Encourage tobacco users to quit by educating them on the negative environmental impacts of tobacco

“Support policy action for a ban on single-use plastics, which include cigarette filters, smokeless tobacco pouches and disposable electronic nicotine delivery systems

“Raise awareness of the tobacco industry’s greenwashing tactics and support governments in introducing additional levies and taxes on industry to protect the environment.”

About World No Tobacco Day
WHO’s member-states had in 1987 set aside every May 31 “to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.”

The global health organisation said in 1987, the World Health Assembly passed Resolution WHA40.38, calling for 7 April 1988 to be “a world no-smoking day.” In 1988, Resolution WHA42.19 was passed, calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, every year on 31 May.

The theme for this year’s awareness campaign is; “Tobacco: Poisoning Our Planet”.

News

Edo Police Break Silence On Operatives Fighting Dirty In Viral Video

Published

26 mins ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The Edo State Police Command says a trending video showing two operatives of the command engaging in a fight is a handiwork of mischief makers.

In the video which has gone viral on the internet, two policemen are seen fighting themselves, while a voice commentary in the background claims they are from the Igueben Decisional Police Station headquarters in the state.

A writeup also attached to a version of the video sighted by Info Daily also claims that the policemen were fighting because of sharing formula of money collected from motorists on the highway. The writeup also claims that the incident happened yesterday, May 17th, 2024.

But reacting to the viral video in a statement issued by SP Chidi Nwabuzor, Police Public Relations Officer, the command said contrary to the claim, the incident happened in 2020, adding that disciplinary measures were taken against the erring policemen.

The statement which issued electronically to newsmen in Benin on Saturday evening partly reads: “Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that it’s aware of a video trending on the internet showing two policemen that engaged themselves in a fight in public spaces and wishes to state as follows that;

“The now trending video happened in April 2020 in a community called Ebelle in the Igueben local government area of Edo State.

“The two erring policemen, namely; (i) F/NO.491112 CPL Ozimeade Aidonojie and (ii) F/NO. 516384 PC Salubi Stephen were attached to Ebelle Police Divisional Headquarters.

“They defaulted, tried in an orderly and upon conviction dismissed from the Force for the offence of discreditable conduct contrary to Paragraph ‘E’ Sub Section 111 of the Police Act and Regulations 370 Cap. P19 of Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

Nwabuzor in the statement reiterated the state Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, commitment to “making Edo State a desired secured state where the law abiding citizens and the general public go about their lawful businesses in making Edo State economic hubs of Nigeria without fear or intimidation.”

News

Excitement, Dance As ‘Looted Ancestral Stools’ Return To Oba Of Benin

Published

1 hour ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

It was a moment of joy, excitement and dance at the palace of the Oba of Benin as the revered monarch, Oba Ewuare II took custody of two looted royal stools from the German government.

They were handed over to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, NCMM on behalf of the Nigerian government by the German authorities in 2022.

The Director-General of
National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr Olugbile Holloway made the presentation on behalf of the Federal Government on Saturday May18, 2024 in Oba of Benin Palace, Benin City.

According to history, the artefacts — Bronze and wooden Royal stools (Ekete), made during the reign of Oba Eresoyen and Oba Esigie several Centuries ago, were looted from Oba Palace during the punitive expedition in 1897.

Addressing the Benin Throne during the presentation of the artefacts, Mr Holloway, pledged on behalf of NCMM, to work-hand-in hand with the Benin Royal Court in uplifting and displaying Edo heritage.

He revealed that as the Benin Bronzes and other art works are gradually making their way home (Nigeria), “NCMM will join hands with the Royal Court to create a befitting destination for people around the world to come and appreciate these works”.

“What you see before us were originally taken away from the Royal family in 1897.

“We have a stool made of Bronze and a wooden stool.

“I speak for every member of my team, to say that we remain loyal to the Royal Court. And if there is anything we can do, we will do to support this laudable initiative.

“This heritage is not just Benin heritage, but Nigeria’s heritage.
When we speak of Benin heritage, there is nobody that doesn’t know the great works of ours.

“I appreciate you, we will always do what we can do with our powers to make His Royal Majesty lineage in memory”, he said.

After unveiling the repatriated Artefacts, Oba of Benin, who danced joyfully to Benin traditional rendition in dramatic dance steps, with excited Chiefs and members of the Royal family, offered prayers to Almighty God and his ancestors.

The traditional ruler, who was visibly overwhelmed with joy, appreciated the German government and the Federal Government and the NCMM leadership for their efforts.

The royal father, thereafter, in a historic move, sat in one of the royal stools (Ekete), and personally presented a chunk of white, which, according to belief, symbolizes peace and blessings to the Director-General of National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr Olugbile Holloway.

Oba Ewuare II also prayed for Mr Holloway and his team, accompanied by the Curator, National Museum, Benin, Mr Mark Olaitan, Director, Legal Services, NCMM, Barrister Babatunde Adebiyi on the visit where Royal Drummers gave a good account of their stewardship.

News

50-year-old Man Dies While Watching Football Match In Lagos Bar

Published

3 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

A yet-to-be-identified man has died allegedly watching football in an open bar along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in Lagos.

It was discovered that the deceased, a man in his fifties, was a frequent patron of the open bar prior to the incident and had visited on May 15, 2024, to watch a football game.

But problems arose when it was later found that he was sleeping and that attempts to wake him up were unsuccessful.

The Lagos State Police Spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident by saying that on May 15, 2024, at approximately 7:00 PM, the owner of the open bar came to Elere Division to report that the same day, one of his male customers—whose name and address are unknown—died while watching a football game.

In an additional explanation, Hundeyin stated that when detectives from the division visited the scene, they saw the deceased lying lifeless on the chair without any signs of violence.

“His body has been taken to the mainland general hospital in Rusty Yaa for an autopsy,” he continued, “We are still trying to find his family.”