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Momodou
Denmark
11790 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Jul 2007 : 19:58:49
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TOBACCO KILLS.....
FOROYAA BANS SMOKING IN ITS PREMISES!
By Sarjo-Camara-Singhateh
In this edition of Health and Nutrition Bantaba, the columnist would first of all congratulate the Foroyaa Newspaper and its management for declaring all their premises a smoke free zone. We will therefore, have Ousman Sillah and Suwaibou Touray, both editors at the Foroyaa Newspaper, to share their views on this issue with us.
HNB: Mr. Sillah, why this bold step?
Ousman Sillah: Yes, this is a welcome development, Sarjo! As you can see around us, there are ‘no smoking’ signs pasted on the walls in the Foroyaa offices. Although, the majority of those who work at the Foroyaa, that is, the editors, typists and reporters are non-smokers, there are few reporters who do smoke cigarettes. Therefore, with this restriction signs to make the premises a smoke free environment, we are trying to help them to muster the courage to quit smoking which is, indeed, a life threatening habit. As you know, cigarette smoking is not only life threatening to the cigarette smoker but also to the non-smoker as well who is rendered a passive smoke. Infact, findings have shown that both the smoke that the cigarette emits and that which is exhaled by the smoker are more harmful to the non-smoker.
I am not advocating against cigarette smoking out of mere theory or what other people told me or I have read, but because of my personal experience. I was once a smoker and a heavy one at that. It is this experience that gives me the advantage and first hand knowledge to talk about tobacco smoking, because it helps me, albeit unfortunately, to know about all the hazards associated with it, be it health, economic or social.
I know it’s not easy for smokers to wake up, let’s say, one fine morning and say ‘I have now quitted smoking’. The addiction is so overwhelming that it makes it less easy. Yet, it is equally not impossible to stop smoking. The testimony to this is that all the former smokers have done it without any fatal consequences. Therefore, there is no plausible reason why the present smokers cannot equally do so. All that it requires is for one to muster the necessary courage and determination and to counsel oneself and weigh the advantages against the disadvantages.
HNB: How do you see young people smoking? What motivates them into smoking?
Mr. Ousman Sillah: Smoking among young people is all part of the stereotype culture that is characterised by influences and imitations, negative or otherwise. There are some youth milieus where to be a non smoker means risking being counted out. In such environments, one only fits or associates when one is a smoker, thus satisfying the ‘birds of the same feather’ description. Although one can resist the temptation and get along with them, if one is resolved. Some young people indulge in smoking so as to demonstrated to society that they are matured enough to be accepted and counted as adults. Others also start smoking out of mere curiosity.
HNB: How do you see the WHO Frame-work Convention on Tobacco Control?
Mr. Ousman Sillah: Well, it is indeed a good idea to have a regulatory framework or rules that aim to control or protect people from exposure to the hazards of Tobacco smoking. We need no smoking zones in our homes inorder to protect our children and the other family members from being exposed to the health hazards of smoking; we need no smoking zones in workplaces, public places, such as hospitals, schools, public transports, etc. In effect, we need everywhere to be observed as a no smoking zone. However, this objective and desire cannot be attained by mere regulations and enforcement measures. Smokers need to be sensitized, counselled, encouraged and persuaded to quit the life threatening and life negating habit, as found is tobacco smoking and other intoxicants. Infact, most of those who smoke are fully aware of the serious economic, health and social implications and consequences of smoking. What this is showing is that the knowledge alone may not be sufficient enough to help some of them take the bold and brave decision to stop smoking. Some of these people cannot alone or by themselves summons the will that is needed to enable them escape the overpowering addiction to tobacco smoking.
HNB: What do you say to those who send children to buy cigarettes for them?
Mr. Ousman Sillah: We need to encourage parents and adults who normally send children to buy cigarettes to stop the practice, as it can very well serve as a gateway that legitimizes the smoking habit. This practice alone can send the wrong signal by showing the child that there is no danger in tobacco smoking, since the adult he or she views as a role model, is seen doing it.
HNB: From your own viewpoint, what do think Tobacco can do to a human being?
Mr. Ousman Sillah: Tobacco smoking is not only associated with health implications or hazards but is also economically and socially harmful to the smoker, his or her family and society, in general. Tobacco is really life threatening, as it affects the lungs and can cause cancer, hypertension and other heart and respiratory diseases, etc. It can kill.
On the economic sphere, to some, spendings on cigarettes do compete for prioritization in the meagre financial resources with other more important domestic budgetary areas that sustain the household, such as fish money, clothing, medical bills, schools fees, fares, etc. Spendings on cigarettes do often take a heavy toll on the household budget.
HNB: Do you think the decision taken by the Foroyaa management can prevent its employees from exposure to second hand Tobacco smoke?
Mr. Ousman Sillah: Yes, I believe it can. This restriction is not only meant to ensure that the employees are protected from being exposed to second hand tobacco smoke but that it is also assisting the very few workers in Foroyaa who are smokers to quit smoking. They are all cooperating and trying to eventually stop smoking. These smokers are not seeing this as a punishment but as support measure to help them kick off the smoking habit.
HNB: Can you comment on smoking in transports which is another form of second Hand Tobacco Smoke to non-smokers?
Mr. Ousman Sillah: Yes, I think it is possible to stop smoking in public transports, e.g buses, vans, etc. As for me, whenever I board a vehicle and find someone smoking or about to light a cigarette, I would simply and politely tell the person to spare us the discomfort and danger of the pungent smoke in the air. And in all cases they will cooperate and even extend apologies.
HNB: How can we fight against Tobacco smoke?
Mr. Ousman Sillah: it is a collective struggle to be waged together by both smokers’ and non-smokers, alike. The smokers need the support of the non-smokers to help them to help not only the non-smokers but themselves, as well.
HNB: Any final message to smokers, Mr. Ousman Sillah?
Ousman Sillah: I want to share with all smokers the ‘secret formula’ which I employed inorder to stop smoking. You don’t need the intervention of any artificial or magical or supernatural means. All you need is simply the WILL POWER which I believe is within the purview of every smoker’s capacity or ability.
This is how I came up to the decision. First of all, I began by considering cigarette smoking a Life and Death vocation. I counselled myself that it is either that I continue with the artificial pleasure that I derived from smoking and shortened my life or take the seemingly ‘difficult’ decision to quit smoking and prolong my live.
I have the conviction that since death is an inevitable end it would be cowardly for me to be afraid of it. However, I should also not allow myself to indulge in any act or practice that self-induces death. This, to me, tantamounts to committing suicide. Although one can die for a principle or a worthy cause. This is honourable.
What should be unacceptable is to die as a result of pursuing artificial pleasure such as tobacco smoking. It should be considered as self-defeating and a rather a cheap death.
Your lives are so precious. Do not trade it with the artificial and temporal pleasure that one derives from tobacco or any other intoxicants, for that matter. Preserve your lives for your children, for society and for posterity.
Smokers can overcome the stress that leads them to smoking by substituting it with other life preserving pursuits that give genuine and harmless pleasure.
HND: Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Ousman Sillah: It is a pleasure.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 77/2007, July 4 – 5 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2007 : 20:29:15
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| well done PDOIS and Foroyaa. That's what responsible institution aspiring to rule a country should do, show by example. Whilst the other opposition parties are hibernating you are awake and building the awreness of the masses. Keep it up! |
madiss |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2007 : 12:45:11
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| smoking is haram .madiba you may be aware of that cliam by scholars. it is not beneficial in any way or form. |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
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