Tobacco Use

One of the reasons why most health institutions across the world are against tobacco use is the high death rates associated with this behaviour. Even though it is difficult to find accurate figures, it is estimated that it is the leading cause of most deaths in the United States (Kovner & Knickman, 2011 and CDC, 2013). Besides, CDC (2013) estimates that if no one smoked, one third of all cancer deaths in the United States will be avoided. In sum, it is believed that in the United States, use of tobacco products accounts for more deaths than H.I.V, alcohol, vehicle accidents, suicides, murders and illegal drug use combined (CDC, 2013).

It is imperative that the population is protected from both primary and secondary tobacco smoke through various interventions. These interventions can be grouped into three levels.

Downstream level of interventions target the individual smokers themselves or those who may already be suffering from effects of tobacco use. Some of these interventions may include counseling the smokers. This is because smoking is addictive and many people may find it hard to quit the habit, thus the need for help. We can also provide health education. It is sad fact that some of the smokers are children and teenagers who may end up being addicts. This people can be saved by more aggressive education campaigns

Midstream programmes are those interventions aimed at either the population or groups within the population to prevent or change the risk factors. It may target schools, workplace or other groups within the community. Introduction of smoke-free zones which is intended to protect nonsmokers from secondary smoke. Again, total ban of smoking in specific places such as the workplace or schools can also be introduced. Campaigns discouraging people from smoking where young children can see them should also be put in place.

Upstream interventions fall within the realm of the state or national policy making regarding tobacco use. Some of the interventions that can be taken include that controls advertising of cigarettes products. This may include even total ban of advertising of the same products. This policy is borne out of the belief that such advertisements significantly contribute to increase of smoking cases (York, 2012).To target the youth, the government can institute laws that will guide the minimum amount of cigarettes that can be bought at any given time.

REFERENCES

CDC (2013), Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking, Accessed of 27th September,2013 from

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cigsmoking

Kovner, A.  & Knickman, J. (Eds.). (2011). “Health Care Delivery in The United States

(10th Ed.), New York, NY: Springer Publishing.

York, N. (2012), Tobacco Control, an Issue of Nursing Clinics, Elsevier, Oxford