According to the WHO tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats faced by the world, wherein more than 8 million people die per year.

In the context of nutrition, tobacco use largely affects the body's nutrient absorption and processes. Tobacco contains nicotine- a harmful chemical that greatly affects the systems of the body and its functions. Nicotine hinders the body's ability to maintain the appropriate level of nutrients. Specifically, it diminishes vitamin and mineral absorption. The presence of nicotine in the system depletes vitamin C stores. Vitamin C prevents organ damage and has an antioxidant effect in the body.

Tobacco use was also linked to higher incidence of osteoporosis because nicotine inhibits absorption of vitamin D. This vitamin plays a vital role in protecting the bones by helping the body absorb calcium, a mineral essential in building strong and dense bones. Nicotine present in tobacco also affects a person's appetite by interacting with the brain and central nervous system to suppress it. Smoking tobacco also alters the sense of taste by the smoker's inability to detect flavor.

Smoking cessation and awareness on its harmful effects will restore the body's better nutritional state and eventually its overall health. Hence, World No Tobacco Day was founded by WHO member states in 1987 and is celebrated annually on 31 May in order to raise awareness of the harmful effects brought upon by tobacco use and second- hand smoke as well as to discourage use of tobacco in any form.

Let's all be part of the global tobacco control efforts and end tobacco use. (NO I Liezel Joy D. Reyes)

References:

World Health Organization. (27 May 2020). Tobacco: Leading cause of death, illness and impoverishment. Retrieved 26 May 2021 from  https://www.who.intlnews-non/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco

UnlockFood Canada. (24 November 2020). Smoking and Nutrition. Retrieved 26 May 2021 from https://www.unlockfood.ca

Jamaica Hospital Org. (7 January 2016). How Smoking Affects Nutrition. Retrieved 26 May 2021 from https://jamaicahospital.org>newsletter

BBC Good Food. (16 November 2020). Smoking: How it Affects Diet and Nutrition. Retrieved 26 May 2021 from https://www.bbcgoodfood.com

National Library of Medicine. (1991). Cigarette Smoking- Nutritional Implications. Retrieved 26 May 2021 from https://pubmed.ncbi.n/mnih.gov