One of the primary rules of journalism is to expand on the lede. This article does not present any information to show that consumption of tobacco among young people in Myanmar is increasing. Perhaps it is decreasing.
Jamie
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Smoking on rise among youth, say experts
Myint Kay Thi
Myanmar Times
1 June 2018
Anti-tobacco awareness needs to be intensified in the country as the consumption of tobacco is increasing, especially among youth, experts said Thursday.
Myanmar’s tobacco consumption and betel chewing remains one of the highest in the Southeast Asia region, the Ministry of Health and Sports (MOHS) said.
Dr Kyaw Kan Kaung, director of the Department of Public Health for Non-Communicable Diseases, told The Myanmar Times that the government will further intensify measures to control tobacco use and sale.
“In Myanmar, smoking and betel chewing have increased nationwide. We have intensify awareness campaigns to raise public knowledge and to stop tobacco use,” he said.
U Kyaw Kan Kaung said smoking is increasing among youth. “The possible cause may be because people can buy cigarette or tobacco easily, adolescents can smoke near schools and universities, and the cost of cigarettes is very cheap. That is why we are having difficulties.”
According to World Health Organisation data, about seven percent, or over 24 million children aged 13–15, smoke cigarettes worldwide.
“If we can’t control the consumption of tobacco among youth, the number of people with non-communicable diseases will be high when they get old, said Dr Than Sein, president of the People’s Health Foundation.
Tobacco use is a major cause of non-communicable disease, not only in Myanmar but also worldwide.
Over seven million people die from tobacco use every year, while more than 600,000 deaths caused by second-hand smoke are reported annually, WHO said.
Government data shows that 26pc of people in the country smoke cigarettes.
“We have to tell a smoker that smoking can harm not only him but also his family, said U Kyaw Kan Kaung.
Tobacco use can cause cancer and strokes, and lung, heart, cardiovascular, respiratory and other non-communicable diseases.
https://www.mmtimes.com/news/smoking-rise-among-youth-say-experts.html
