Commissioner responsible for Public Health Maria Buncamper-Molanus, says that tobacco is continuing to take a toll on human life. Her message comes after World No Tobacco Day was observed across the globe on May 31.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to half of all smokers will die from a tobacco-related disease. Second-hand smoke harms everyone who is exposed to it.
Globally more than five million people die from the effects of tobacco every year. This is more than the combined total for HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
"It is an eye-opener when you hear that more people die annually around the world from the effects of tobacco than from the combined total of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
"I appeal to the St. Maarten community especially smokers, to raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco use amongst families, friends and co-workers.
"Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. Warning people about its true risks can go a long way towards reducing the number of persons that would become addicted," Commissioner of Public Health Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Sunday.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also called on governments to require that all tobacco packages include pictures to warn consumers of the ill effects of tobacco use.
Studies reveal that even among people who believe tobacco is harmful; few understand its specific health risks. Health warnings on tobacco packages in most countries do not provide information to warn consumers of the risks.
WHO points out that an effective health warning, especially those that include pictures, have been proven to motivate users to quit and to reduce the appeal of tobacco for those who are not yet addicted.
Commissioner Buncamper adds that she fully supports the call made by the WHO for tobacco companies to use effective communication images on tobacco packaging that would promote the risk and motivate behavioural changes, such as quitting or reducing tobacco consumption.