Friday, March 29, 2024 | Ramadan 18, 1445 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Kick the butt for your heart

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Oman is one of the several countries that have joined forces to cut risks from diseases relating to heart and lungs and others like cancer and diabetes. In this regard, many initiatives — from tobacco-free market places to strict monitoring of bakeries and other food processing units to reduce use of salt and fat content — have already been launched by the authorities.


In the beginning of this year, two new innovative health promotion activities — tobacco-free souq in Muscat’s open-air traditional market and the Healthy Restaurants Initiative — were launched by Nizwa Healthy Lifestyle Project (NHLP).


The project for a smoke-free society has received backing from all the authorities, municipal officials, business communities and general public.


Following its successful 10 per cent salt reduction in 2015, authorities now plan to achieve 20 per cent in bread and cheese as well.


At the same time, health experts stress on the need for tackling tobacco use in the country.


According to Oman Heart Association, smokers face twice the risk of early death from heart attack.


Nicotine narrows the blood vessels, causing an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Carbon monoxide competes with oxygen in the red blood cells, and less oxygen is carried to the heart.


“Quit smoking. If someone in your household smokes, encourage them to give it up. We know it is tough. But it is tougher to recover from a heart attack or stroke or live with a chronic heart disease,” says the association.


According to the annual report of the Ministry of Health, 25 per cent of all hospital deaths are caused by heart disease and circulatory problems.


According to the newly released 2016 Statistical Yearbook by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the highest recorded number of deaths in MoH hospitals in 2016 was due to diseases of the circulatory system at 981 cases.


Tobacco use among Omani youth aged 15 years old was estimated to be 17.9 per cent in 2010.


“If tobacco control measures remain static, it is predicted to increase to 26.9 per cent and 33.3 per cent in 2020 and 2025 respectively,” says a report by Dr Javed al Lawati in Oman Medical Journal.


Dr Wahid Ali al Kharousi, who spearheaded a campaign against smoking in the public, said the government should impose a maximum amount of tax if a total ban is not possible.


“Even if the government increases the tax to 200 per cent, it will not help curb this killer menace. What is required is a total ban,” he told the Observer.


According to the Tobacco Atlas report, even though fewer men smoke on average in Oman than on average in high-income countries, still 242,600 men still smoke cigarettes each day, the sign of an ongoing and dire public health threat.


“Buying tobacco robs families of the resources they need to rise out of poverty. A smoker in Oman would have to spend one per cent of per capita gross national income to purchase 10 of the cheapest cigarettes to smoke each day,” points out the report.


A tobacco control policy is an excellent investment in the health of a country’s population.


According to WHO, for less than 520 baisa per person per year Oman will be able to pay for the four ‘best buys’ in tobacco control policy, raising tobacco excise taxes, enforcing a comprehensive national smoke-free law and a ban on tobacco advertising and promotion, and mandating large graphic warning labels appear on tobacco product packaging.


“This small investment will reap enormous dividends in health and prosperity,” says the report.


Cigarette butts are the most commonly discarded pieces of waste worldwide. It is estimated that 1.69 billion pounds of butts wind up as toxic trash, which is roughly equivalent to the weight of 177,895 endangered African elephants, points out the Tobacco Atlas report.


SAMUEL KUTTY


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