Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable illness and death. Tobacco is the risk factor for 6 out of 8 leading causes of death in the world. It has been estimated that there are 1.1 billion smokers worldwide and 182 million (16.6%) of them live in India. It has been predicted by the world health organization (WHO) that more than 500 million people alive today will be killed by tobacco by 2030 and tobacco consumption will become the single leading cause of death. It harms everyone who uses it or is exposed to it and kills 1 in every 2 users. In 17 out of 29 states of India, tobacco use is more than 69%. Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body. Tobacco use is major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Health care professionals are ideally placed to advise people on how to stop smoking and to provide information on the supply of medication. All the health care professionals who have direct contact with the public, patients, relatives and care takers have a role to play in helping people to quit smoking. Health care professionals might be the only health care professionals to come in contact with prospective users of these products before or during their quit attempts.
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