In the period from November 13 to November 19, a republican information and educational campaign on the prevention of tobacco smoking as a risk factor for cancer is being held in the Republic of Belarus, timed to coincide with the Single Health Day "World Non-Smoking Day" on November 16, 2023. Prevention of oncological diseases".

The purpose of the campaign is to prevent diseases, primarily oncological, causally related to tobacco smoking, to raise public awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke, to form civil society support for measures aimed at protecting the population from the consequences of tobacco consumption.

According to the World Health Organization, smoking today causes about 40% of the total mortality of the population and is regarded as the main cause of premature death, which can be avoided. Smoking provokes the development of 18 forms of cancer in humans (cancer of the lung, esophagus, larynx and oral cavity, bladder, pancreas, kidney, stomach, breast, cervix, etc.). It has been established that in smoking patients, compared with non-smokers, life expectancy is shortened, the risk of relapse or the occurrence of a second tumor increases, the effectiveness of treatment and quality of life decreases.

It has been found that the risk of getting cancer is significantly (almost 30 times) higher in heavy smokers and those who started smoking early. The risk of oral and pharyngeal cancer in smokers is increased 2-3 times compared to non-smokers and 10 times in those who smoke more than one pack of cigarettes a day. At the same time, the risk of lung cancer increases 3-4 times when smoking more than 25 cigarettes a day. The risk of esophageal cancer is 5 times higher in smokers compared to non–smokers, and the risk of stomach cancer is 1.5 times. Smoking is one of the causes of pancreatic cancer, and the risk of cancer in smokers is increased by 2-3 times.

Quitting smoking reduces the risk of lung cancer: after 5 years, the incidence of such a disease begins to fall, and 20 years after stopping, it approaches that of non-smokers.

Tobacco smoke is dangerous not only for the smoker, but also for those who are close to him. Therefore, the restriction of smoking in catering organizations and other public places is of particular importance.

Our company joins the campaign and for the period from November 13 to 19, 2023, it is declared a smoking-free territory!