**ISLAMABAD, Jun 2 (APP):** President of the Cancer Society, Dr. Ahmed Ijaz Masood, issued a strong warning on Sunday about the rising popularity of tobacco products like e-cigarettes and hookah among the youth. In an interview with Pakistan Television NewsPakistan Television News (PTV), Dr. Masood emphasized that these products pose a greater danger than traditional cigarettes due to the harmful substances they contain.
Dr. Masood elaborated that the tobacco industry employs various strategies to entice young people into lifelong addiction. These tactics include rebranding these products with different names and promoting them through appealing, branded materials. He stressed that e-cigarettes, which contain nicotine and potentially harmful toxins like heavy metals, pose significant risks to the lungs and respiratory system.
"Unfortunately, popular shows, movies, and dramas often portray smoking in a glamorous light," Dr. Masood noted, calling for a reduction in such depictions. He pointed to a worrying 110 percent increase in tobacco-related scenes in media targeted at youth aged 15 to 24, which often present smoking as an attractive behavior.
Additionally, Dr. Masood highlighted the need for stringent regulations and public awareness campaigns to combat the glamorization of smoking in media. He suggested that educational institutions should play a proactive role in educating students about the dangers of tobacco use. Furthermore, he called for parental involvement in monitoring and guiding their children's media consumption to mitigate the influence of such portrayals.
In light of these concerns, Dr. Masood urged the government to implement stricter advertising regulations on tobacco products and to increase support for anti-smoking initiatives. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of collective efforts from the community, health organizations, and policymakers to protect the youth from the detrimental effects of tobacco addiction.
**ISLAMABAD, Jun 2 (APP):** President of the Cancer Society, Dr. Ahmed Ijaz Masood, issued a stern warning on Sunday regarding the increasing popularity of tobacco products like e-cigarettes and hookah among the youth. In an interview with Pakistan Television News (PTV), Dr. Masood highlighted the heightened dangers of these products compared to traditional cigarettes due to their harmful contents.
Dr. Masood referenced global statistics, noting that an estimated 38 million adolescents aged 13 to 15 use tobacco products. “Nicotine is particularly damaging to developing brains,” he said, underscoring the urgent need for heightened awareness about the dangers of smoking.
He described smoking as a significant societal scourge, encompassing various products such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookahs, beedis, betel leaves, areca nuts, gutka, and snuff. “Smoking damages nearly every organ in the human body and negatively impacts overall health,” Dr. Masood emphasized. He pointed out that tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, most of which are carcinogenic, making it the leading cause of lung, mouth, and throat cancers.
Dr. Masood elaborated that using tobacco in any form can lead to fatal cancers, including those of the lung, oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, colon, liver, pancreas, breast, kidney, prostate, and bladder. Additionally, smoking is a major contributor to heart attacks, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and psychological disorders.
He called for a concerted effort to educate the public about the harmful effects of tobacco and to advocate for a healthier future. Dr. Masood stressed the need for comprehensive public health campaigns and stricter regulations on tobacco advertising. He suggested that schools and educational institutions play a crucial role in informing students about the risks associated with tobacco use.
Furthermore, Dr. Masood called for increased parental involvement in monitoring their children's media consumption to counteract the glamorization of smoking in popular culture. He urged the government to enhance support for anti-smoking initiatives and implement stringent advertising restrictions on tobacco products.
Dr. Masood concluded by emphasizing the importance of collective action from communities, health organizations, and policymakers to safeguard the youth from the devastating effects of tobacco addiction. He called for robust public health policies and sustained awareness campaigns to combat the pervasive influence of tobacco and promote a healthier society.