![\"\"](\"https:\/\/informante.web.na\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Smoke-craving-is-temporary.jpeg\")
Those who survive into adulthood continue to suffer the health consequences of second-hand smoke exposure, as frequent lower respiratory infections in early childhood significantly increase the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adulthood.<\/p>\n
Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Esther Utjiua Muinjangue, emphasized that smoking cravings are temporary, while the dangers are permanent.<\/p>\n
Muinjangue made these remarks on Wednesday while addressing the audience at the World No Tobacco Day commemoration in Oshakati.<\/p>\n
According to Muinjangue, tobacco smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, responsible for over two-thirds of lung cancer deaths worldwide. She also highlighted that second-hand smoke exposure at home or in the workplace increases the risk of lung cancer.<\/p>\n
“Your craving is temporary, but the damage to your lungs is permanent. However, after 10 years of smoking cessation, the risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker,” she added.<\/p>\n
Muinjangue stressed that tobacco smoking is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition that narrows the airways and causes the build-up of pus-filled mucus in the lungs, resulting in a painful cough and difficulty breathing.<\/p>\n
She noted that the risk of developing COPD is particularly high among individuals who start smoking at a young age, as tobacco smoke significantly hampers lung development.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Muinjangue urged the youth who use hookah pipes, also known as “Hubbly Bubbly,” to refrain from using these deadly and harmful tobacco equipment and products.<\/p>\n
Muinjangue also reminded everyone that smoking ruins not only their own lives but also the lives of those around them, including the community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Maria David AS the world celebrates “World No Tobacco Day,” Namibians are reminded to adopt a healthy lifestyle to prevent the long-term effects of smoking. This year, the day is commemorated under the theme: “We want food, not tobacco.” The global campaign aims to raise awareness about alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":340721,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-340720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n