In recent years, thanks to a push by health organizations and anti-smoking movements, the world has become much more aware of the risks involved with smoking and the long-term damage it can cause. Many leading countries around the world have developed stricter rules and regulations regarding the distribution and usage of cigarettes and tobacco products. This has been welcomed as more and more people are quitting smoking and fewer people than ever before are taking up the habit.
As well as reducing the advertising rights and marketing capabilities of leading tobacco manufacturers, many governmental institutions around the globe have made distribution more difficult by enforcing stricter sales conditions and higher taxation figures. This has helped a great deal in the move towards a smoke-free world but there is still plenty to be done at every level. Whether you’re a business owner or a full-time parent, there’s a lot you can do to help reduce the amount of smoke and the number of smokers in the world.
A smoke free world. Image credit: Joe Hall (Source: Flickr)
Lobbying
Although there has been a lot of progress made in modern politics regarding smoking laws, there is still a lot more that governments and international organizations can do to reduce the effects of smoking. Unfortunately, with so much else going on in the world, it is easy for politicians and representatives to forget about issues like smoking by putting it to the bottom of their list of priorities.
It’s important to give them a nudge and remind them that there is still plenty of work to be done on this important topic. People have the power so be sure to get in touch with your local representative and appeal for a more aggressive approach to smoking laws. Write a letter or visit them in person and voice your opinions about how smoking laws should be changed and improved.
Cut out workplace smoking
If you’re a business owner, it’s important you look after your employees’ health, bother smokers and non-smokers. Cutting out smoking on the premises can help reduce the risks of second-hand smoke but it may not help to cut out smoking completely. Raising awareness through work schemes or promotional literature can help provide your employees with the necessary information to help them quit or find healthier alternatives.
Promote alternatives
The global health industry has made huge leaps forward in recent years when it comes to safer alternatives to tobacco and health products for smokers. Things such as nicotine patches, chewing gum and inhalers have been developed to help smokers quit smoking and massively improve their health. If you’re a local business person or a community advocate and you want to help people quit smoking, promoting these types of products is a great way to help people find alternatives to tobacco.
Vaping is another alternative to smoking that has become hugely popular in recent years. Numerous reports have shown that vaping is a much healthier alternative to smoking tobacco. The health effects of vaping and using e-cig liquid are much less harmful than smoking and the impact on others is considerably less severe than second-hand smoke.
Campaigning
The great thing about people power is that if enough people get behind a certain cause, it can force people in positions of power to listen and act. There are thousands of anti-smoking organizations around the world that campaign for stricter smoking legislation. If you want to help the cause, try looking for a local group or community and help them raise awareness about the harms of smoking.
Setting up petitions, organizing community events and taking part in demonstrations are all great ways of getting involved and doing your part to reduce the number of smokers. Even joining online groups or raising awareness on social media can help make an impression and change the world.
Warn your kids
Unfortunately, there are still millions of people around the world that will start smoking from a young age. Teenagers and young people often fall into the habit of smoking so it’s important to make them aware of the risks from a young age. You don’t need to scare your children with gruesome pictures or terrifying stories but make sure that they are educated on the dangers of smoking to ensure they aren’t drawn into it.