The Hellenic Pulmonary Society (Hellenic Pulmonary Society) is actively participating for another year in the information activities for the World No Smoking Day, designated by the World Health Organization and other collaborating organizations, on May 31st.
A press conference was held to inform the public about the messages of the World Day, which has the theme “Smoking is a Chronic Disease and the Planet” but also about the important data that emerged from the recent Seminar “Infections & Newer Tobacco Products”. , courtesy of Pfizer Hellas.
The event was honored by the presence of the Deputy Minister of Health, Mrs. Mina Gaga while a video message of the Mayor of Athens, Mr. Costas Bakogiannis was shown. Mr. Ioannis Kanakakis, Director of the Therapeutic Clinic, General Hospital “ALEXANDRA” and President of the Hellenic Cardiological Society, with whom the Ltd. has been working closely since 2021 for the defense of Public Health, also addressed a greeting.
Mr. Stylianos Loukidis, President of EPA, Professor of Pulmonology EKPA, 2nd University Pulmonary Clinic of PGN “ATTIKON”, welcoming the attendees, referred to the urgent need for mobilization of all organizations aimed at combating smoking. “Smoking has been a pandemic crisis for a century that costs lives, burdens health systems and public health in general, but also the environment. The mobilization of all of us to reduce it, therefore, is crucial. That is why I am particularly happy for the ongoing cooperation we have with CSR, which proves that together we can do more to achieve our goal, which is a world free of smoke, “said Mr. Loukidis.
Ms. Martha Andritsou, Pulmonologist, 1st Intensive Care Clinic of EKPA, GNA “O EVANGELISMOS” and Coordinator of the Smoking Cessation & Health Promotion Group of the Ltd., referred in her speech to the main messages of the World Smoking, which this year focus on the ways in which tobacco threatens the environment as well as the efforts of the tobacco industry to convince the public that it and its products are environmentally friendly. In particular, he stated that “The aim of this year’s information activities is to inform and raise public awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco on the environment, not only through smoking and the air pollution it causes, but also throughout its life cycle – by its cultivation, production and distribution to the toxic waste it produces. At the same time, the strengthening of legislation is recommended in the states, which completely prohibits the advertising and promotion of tobacco products as well as donations financed by the tobacco industry “.
Ms. Anna Karakatsani, Professor of Pulmonology, 2nd Pulmonology Clinic of the Medical School of EKPA. PGN “ATTIKON”, focused on the impact of smoking on the environment, stating that “To date, special emphasis has been given to the negative effects of smoking on human health, without giving such emphasis to the dramatic effects that this habit has environment and climate change. In addition to air pollution from cigarette burning or the environment from cigarette butts, large areas of land that are being deforested worldwide and committed to tobacco cultivation, pollutants released during the processing of tobacco leaves and production of tobacco products but also during the transport of raw materials and the final product by the tobacco industry, are factors that contribute to increasing carbon dioxide emissions and climate change. It is worth noting that in 2014 to be produced 6 trillion. cigarettes from nearly 500 industries, required 32.4 megatons of tobacco leaves from 125 countries, ultimately contributing to climate change with 84 megatons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. “The problem of smoking ceases to concern the individual and becomes a” health problem “of the planet.”
Ms. Paraskevi Katsaounou, Associate Professor of Pulmonology, School of Medicine, EKPA, Member of the Board of Directors Ltd. , presented at the three-day EPA seminar on tobacco products and respiratory infections that has just been completed. “The data of Horizon2020 EUREST-PLUS show that the use of heated cigarettes in Greece increased from 2016 (0.9%) to 2018 (4%). Dual use of tobacco products and reduced risk perception were also recorded. In new tobacco products, as in the classic cigarette, the respiratory tract is used, and therefore the pulmonary circulation, which leads to corresponding levels of nicotine in the blood and therefore dependence. Young people aged 15-24 are more likely to report using a heated cigarette than those over 55. Also, current and former smokers are more likely to use a heated cigarette than non-smokers. Finally, weight gain after smoking cessation, which is a significant disincentive to smoking cessation, despite the fact that the benefits of smoking cessation far outweigh those of weight gain for smokers and especially women and patients with diabetes, it seems that can now be controlled.
In addition, data on vaccination during the pandemic were presented, which show that the vaccination schedule was disrupted in high-risk groups and for this reason the WHO is sounding the alarm. At the same time, a recent study showed that long COVID is also more likely to occur in smokers than non-smokers. In closing, Mrs. Katsaunou stressed that “It is a good opportunity now that the pandemic is in remission and the respiratory infections are reduced compared to the winter months, to prescribe the vaccines against pneumococcus and pertussis, according to the instructions of the National Vaccination Program and to remember that smokers are also a high-risk group. “
Mr. Konstantinos Toutouzas, Secretary of CSR, Professor of Cardiology EKPA, 1st University Cardiology Clinic, GNA “Ippokratio”, referred to the effect of e-cigarette on cardiovascular diseases, emphasizing that “From the data existing so far from cross-sectional studies, we can not have clear conclusions about the cardiovascular safety of e-cigarettes. However, existing studies show similar effects in acute cases after exposure to steam from nicotine devices in parameters of vascular function, inflammation, oxidative stress and thrombosis. “Although switching from a regular to an e-cigarette alleviates most of the adverse biological effects of smoking, it remains unknown in the long run how much it can be a safer means of nicotine intake.”
Ms. Ioanna Mitrouska, Pulmonologist, Director of ESY Pulmonary Clinic PAGNI in turn stated that “According to the World Health Organization the prey in the COVID-19 pandemic is the lungs and the respiratory system in general. The tobacco industry with its actions makes the respiratory system more vulnerable to coronavirus infection. The whole process of smoking or using any tobacco product contains all these elements that need attention in controlling the pandemic. That is, heavy use of hands, constant hand-to-mouth contact, uncovered mouth and nose, use of products that many people touch, etc. In addition, research to date has shown that smokers have increased expression of receptors through which the coronavirus enters the human “At the same time, smokers who are infected with the coronavirus are more likely: to develop a serious illness, to have a worse progression of the disease, to need hospitalization in the Intensive Care Unit and to be intubated as well as to have a very bad outcome due to COVID19”.
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