It is an established fact that Smoking kills. The smoking kills a person step by step over a long period of time by developing different diseased states. It is a cheap death because tobacco is available to everyone easily and at cheap rates. The government is reluctant to stop it; the law enforcement agencies are silent over it. No checks are there in place to and even a minor can buy tobacco without being stop. In this sorry state of affair, what can be done?According to WHO, Tobacco use (including smoking) is causally linked to a number of chronic diseases including several cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular diseases. There is also increasing evidence of an association between smoking and tuberculosis, especially in China and India. A recent study suggests that 4.83 million deaths were attributable to smoking in 2000 (Ezzati and Lopez 2004). Over half of these (2.69 million deaths) were among people aged 30 to 69 years, resulting in a large number of premature deaths. Comparisons between developing and developed countries showed equal numbers of deaths due to tobacco but the burden of disease associated with smoking was much higher in developing countries. A study conducted in Karachi states that the cancer of lung is ranked the most frequent malignancy in men in the entire 1995-2002 period. It is however a cause of concern that the overall lung cancer incidence rates continue to rise. These rates correspond with the trends of smoking prevalence in the younger age groups in the last 2 decades. Published studies have given alerts to increase in the smoking habits of the present day youngsters and with an expanding population the country can expect a substantial increase in lung cancer (Bhurgari Y et al, 2006).

Keeping in view the hazardous effects of smoking, strategy is required to prevent this menace in form anti-tobacco rules and health education; prohibition of smoking in educational institutions at all levels and a ban on the sale of cigarettes to minors (Bhurgari Y et al, 2006).

These are high sounding words. Who will step ahead? No one from outside will come to rescue us! It is we, who can make some difference. Let’s do it, let’s campaign against this hazard, else will be questioned by our coming generation for all the disease burden and deaths. One last thing, if you are a smoker yourself, even then you can make some difference.

Some time back, a similar study was conducted in 13 countries coordinated by International Agency for research on Cancer (IARC). It was a multicentric international study and was named INTERPHONE. At the start of study, it was recognized by IARC that certain electromagnetic fields (at extremely low frequency) were possibly carcinogenic. The study was started with the aim to know the reality with scientific methods. This scribe happened to read the results of the study carried out in Lyon France. The results suggested that no significant increased risk for glioma, meningioma or neuroma (all are brain tumors) was observed among cell phone users participating in Interphone. In the same report, it was suggested that the statistical power of the study was limited, and in order to know the complete picture, data from heaviest users, therefore need to be verified in the international INTERPHONE analysis. The similar point of concern was voiced by Dr. Lesley Walker, of the charity Cancer Research UK, who said: “So far, studies have shown no evidence that mobile use is harmful, but we can’t be completely sure about their long-term effects.”

Here, it must be noted that in this connection, the largest study to date, involving 420,000 people failed to find any evidence of a cancer trend even after 10 years of use.

From the discussion above, it can be concluded that the data available to date about harmful effects of mobile phone usage is incomplete and inconclusive so it is better to play safe.

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What is stammering?

Wikipedia defines stammering as, “a speech disorder in which the flow of speech is disrupted by involuntary repetitions and prolongations of sounds, syllables, words or phrases, and involuntary silent pauses or blocks in which the stutterer is unable to produce sounds.” It is a proven fact that it has genetic component related but how it comes in interplay is not yet known that’s why one can’t find any cure but management programs. There is a myth related to it that it is some psychological disorder but this notion has no reality.

Stammering Association Pakistan

Stammering Association of Pakistan has just started its journey. Since there is no cure available for this disorder, Stammering Association Pakistan aims to provide a forum for stammerers where they will work together to achieve the stammering management goals.

My opinion

To me the cause of this association appears just and I feel like supporting them. They have taken this step to help many of those around us who really need help and by just spreading this message we can play our part. I feel it as our collective responsibility. If you feel the way I am feeling, please help spreading their message by all possible means. I hope such an act can really create some difference in lives of many who are suffering silently!!!

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