SAns urged to observe World No Tobacco Day

The SA Medical Association has called on all South Africans to observe World No Tobacco Day today and to support worldwide initiatives to reduce smoking. SAMA chairperson, Mzukisi Grootboom, says tobacco use is one of the leading causes of death, illness and impoverishment. He says according to the World Health Organisation, an estimated seven million people die from tobacco use annually, while an alarming 890 000 of these deaths being non-smokers who have been sexposed to second-hand smoke. Grootboom says the world is paying a high price for the tobacco epidemic.