Tobacco as a Harmful Health Exposure to Women's Health

Abstract

Tobacco is one of the greatest emerging health disasters in the human history. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death among women, but it is still under recognized as a critical women's health issue. More than five million people who died every year from tobacco out of which approximately 1.5 millions are women. According to the latest Tobacco Atlas, India ranks third in the top 20 female smoking populations across the globe. India's tobacco problem is more complex than probably that of any other country in the world, with a large consequential burden of tobacco-related diseases and death. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). Smoking during pregnancy increases risks of pre-mature delivery, stillbirth, newborn deaths and it also leads to cervical cancer. This study focused on critical impacts on women's health and how it is affecting their lifestyles. Tobacco is influenced by different cultural, psycho social and socioeconomic factors. In deprived families money spends on tobacco may converted adequate nutrition into malnutrition for women and children. Aggressive marketing and advertising strategies are targeting women, who also encourage women to smoke as a sign of independence and success. Passive and active smoking disproportionately affect mothers and children which increases respiratory diseases. If we talk about the rural population of India the bidi making and consumption is increasing every year. Women in the bidi industries often experience "green sickness”, the entry nicotine through the skin which causes health diseases. This study highlights the impact of tobacco on the women health. The biggest rise in female smoking is projected to be in the developing countries which are serious concerns.