Thailand ranks No.5 for female secondhand smoke exposure

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Thailand is grappling with a significant public health concern as it ranks No.5 globally for the number of female victims of secondhand smoke. These women face a 1.24 times higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to those in smoke-free settings, according to health experts.

 

Dr Roengrudee Patanavanish from Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine highlighted the pressing issue of secondhand smoke exposure in Thailand. Alarmingly, 70% of the country’s 34 million non-smokers are reportedly affected by secondhand smoke.

 

During a seminar which focused on the dangers of secondhand smoke, Dr Roengrudee referred to a survey conducted in 2019 by the Burden of Disease Research Programme Thailand and the International Health Policy Programme. The findings revealed that an average of 20,688 Thai individuals succumb to diseases related to secondhand smoke annually.

 

Thai females aged 15 to 49 are particularly vulnerable. Among 57 countries, they rank No.5 in terms of exposure to secondhand smoke, with 68% experiencing harmful smoke pollution at home.

“The situation is concerning because, according to the British Journal of Cancer 2024 publication, secondhand smokers could have a 1.24 times higher chance of developing breast cancer than people living in a tobacco-free environment.”

 

Breast cancer poses a significant threat to Thai women’s health, claiming over 4,800 lives annually, which equates to 13 deaths each day. It stands as the leading cancer among women in Thailand, with 18,000 new cases reported yearly.

 

Dr Suwanna Ruangkanchasetr from the Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Centre also emphasised the risks posed to children by passive smoking within homes. A survey indicated that 55% of Thai children aged one to five are living in environments where smoking occurs. These children are four times more likely to develop lower respiratory diseases compared to their counterparts in smoke-free homes.

 

These findings underscore the urgent need for effective measures to mitigate secondhand smoke exposure, particularly in domestic settings, to safeguard the health of women and children in Thailand, reported Bangkok Post.

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal
Photo courtesy of TRC

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2024-11-06

 

 

[Emdog]

I would like to see the data collection and analysis methods used to reach these conclusions. To say #5 globally implies this was a world wide study done with similar methods. 2nd hand is a danger, no argument there. I think their stats seem impossible to verify. Such as

"The findings revealed that an average of 20,688 Thai individuals succumb to diseases related to secondhand smoke annually." How these numbers can be teased out to separate them from the toxic soup often referred to as "air" here, often 6-7 times above WHO "safe" level is anyone's guess

[spidermike007]

There are few things in this world that are more obnoxious than secondhand smoke, it's like sitting behind a diesel truck while it's idling at a curb.

 

The best way to approach a spouse who smokes is to divorce them. Just get out, just say goodbye. I made a bad choice and I'm moving on now. See ya!