The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Tobacco consumption is very dangerous to both men and women. The objective of this paper is to highlight on the effects of tobacco consumption to women smokers. Currently, health activists worldwide have been concerned about a vigorous advertising campaign that is envisaged to recruit more women smokers, particularly in developing countries. Today's figure of women smokers is expected to increase rapidly in the next 10 years, due to a deliberate, vigorous campaign by tobacco advertisers to "recruit" women smokers.

Methods: In studying the effects of tobacco consumption to women smokers, I have used personal observation, interviewed health officers and done research on the documented information both published and that which is posted in the internet.

Results: It has been found out that adverts appear more inclined towards women in previously untapped markets, that is, in developing countries. By using data collected in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and China, the World Health Programme found that tobacco advertisers constantly promote the idea that smoking equals "emancipation" or "liberation" for women. Smoking has a damaging effect on women's reproductive health and is associated with reduced fertility and early menopause. Latest statistics from the World Health Organization indicate that there are about a Billion smokers worldwide – less than 12% of which are women. (http://www.no-smoking.org/oct00/10-23-00-3.html). Many thought that women were not susceptible to smoking-related illnesses, like lung cancer, that were seen in men. The gap in smoking prevalence between men and women has narrowed dramatically in recent years.