Tobacco Epidemic

Question 1

Describe how tobacco impacts death rates.

Answer 1

Tobacco use is a risk factor for 6 of the 8 leading causes of death in the world and is the leading cause of preventable death.

If no serious action is taken, annual tobacco-related deaths are projected to increase to 8 million by the year 2030, accounting for 10% of all deaths.

Question 2

Describe the geographical trend of tobacco use.

Answer 2

80% of tobacco users are in the developing world: low- and middle-income countries

Question 3

Describe the prevalence of smoking in Canada.

Answer 3

14.6% of Canadians in 2013. 11% were daily smokers.

Smoking rates have decreased fairly steadily over the past few decades, but the rate of decline appears to have slowed in recent years.

Lowest smoking rate: BC at 11%
Highest smoking rate: NB at 20%

Question 4

Name the populations which have a disproportionate number of people who use tobacco or are exposed to secondhand smoke.

Answer 4

Aboriginal people
Youth and young adults
Mental health clients
People with concurrent addictions
Pregnant women
Acute-care patients

Question 5

Name the types of factors that influence initiation and sustainment of tobacco use.

Answer 5

Biological
Psychosocial
Environmental
Economic

Question 6

Explain how biological factors can influence tobacco use.

Answer 6

Nicotine stimulates receptors in the nervous system to activate release of several different neurotransmitters, including dopamine. With repeated exposure, nicotinic receptors become less responsive to nicotine, leading to tolerance. Individuals’ genetic makeup may make them more susceptible to nicotine addiction because of differences in their neurotransmitter production, receptors, and metabolism.

Question 7

Explain how psychosocial factors can influence tobacco use.

Answer 7

Personality traits such as impulsivity, risk-taking, rebelliousness, and sensation seeking are commonly found among these individuals. There is also a complex co-morbid relationship between mental illness and tobacco use. People with mental illnesses may use tobacco to self-medicate or cope.

Behavioural mechanisms: positive associations will tend to reinforce tobacco use. This can include wanting to emulate others or forming a pleasurable routine that involves smoking.

Question 8

Explain how environmental factors can influence tobacco use.

Answer 8

Micro-level influencers: groups that an individual is closely involved with, including family, various social networks, and peers.

Mezzo-level influencers: include worksites, schools, communities, and healthcare settings. Lack of smoke-free policies or perpetuating a culture of smoking

Macro-level influencers: national, provincial, and large-area initiatives.

Global-level influencers: geopolitical, economic, and environmental dynamics. Countries need a public health approach to changing the social climate associated with tobacco use and to promote a supportive environment

Question 9

Explain how economic factors can influence tobacco use.

Answer 9

Average hourly wage compared to price of tobacco products. Alberta and Ontario are the most affordable provinces to buy tobacco products for anyone 15 years or older.

Question 10

Name the four leading non-communicable diseases and their relation to tobacco.

Answer 10

Tobacco is the only risk factor shared by all four of these diseases.

Cardiovascular
Diabetes
Cancer
Chronic respiratory disease

Question 11

In Canada, what percentage of deaths are due to smoking?

Answer 11

17% (20% in males and 12% in females)

Question 12

Describe the global incidence rate of death due to involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke.

Answer 12

600,000 non-smokers per year.

Question 13

How many people currently use tobacco?

Answer 13

One billion. (80% of them are men)