In a collaborative effort between the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and the University of Newcastle, a new brief has emerged, presenting compelling evidence that quitting smoking can substantially reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes by 30-40%. This revelation comes as a critical addition to the arsenal of preventive measures against one of the most widespread chronic diseases globally.
The link between smoking and the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, a key factor in the development of type-2 diabetes, is underscored in the findings. Type-2 diabetes, accounting for over 95% of all diabetes cases worldwide, is identified as a largely preventable condition. Contributing factors include being overweight, lack of physical activity, and genetic predisposition, according to the WHO.
The International Diabetes Federation estimates that a staggering 537 million people currently live with diabetes, a number steadily increasing and making diabetes the ninth leading cause of death globally. Akhtar Hussain, President of the IDF, emphasized the urgent need for people to quit smoking, not only to reduce the risk of diabetes but also to mitigate associated complications. Smoking amplifies the likelihood of diabetes-related complications, including cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, blindness, delayed wound healing, and an elevated risk of lower limb amputations.
Hussain urged governments to implement policy measures discouraging smoking and ensuring smoke-free environments in all public spaces. The IDF president emphasized, “We call on governments to introduce policy measures that will discourage people from smoking and remove tobacco smoke from all public spaces.”
WHO’s Director of Health Promotion, Ruediger Krech, highlighted the vital role of health professionals in motivating and guiding individuals with type-2 diabetes to quit tobacco. Simultaneously, he stressed the importance of governments taking decisive steps to ensure indoor public places, workplaces, and public transport are entirely smoke-free. These interventions, Krech noted, are crucial safeguards against the onset and progression of not only diabetes but numerous other chronic diseases.
As the collaborative brief from WHO, IDF, and the University of Newcastle unveils the substantial impact of quitting smoking on reducing the risk of type-2 diabetes, individuals are encouraged to consider this as a crucial step toward better health. The call for governments to implement smoke-free policies in public spaces resonates as a significant stride in curbing the diabetes epidemic and promoting overall well-being. The joint effort emphasizes the pivotal role each person and government can play in fostering a smoke-free environment, ultimately contributing to a healthier global population.
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