Scientific studies clearly show that smoking is one of the main factors generating a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, cancers of the lung, larynx, throat, kidney or cervix, as well as strokes, Alzheimer's disease, Crohn's disease or osteoporosis.

There are more than 40 carcinogenic compounds in cigarettes, including phenol, vinyl chloride, butane, arsenic or acetone, among others. The main poison found in the composition of cigarettes is nicotine. It is responsible for increasing blood pressure and accelerating the heart rate, which in turn ultimately contributes to the hypoxia of organs and tissues and the development of abnormalities in the human body.
According to data held by the World Health Organisation, around 6 million people die every year due to smoking and exposure to direct contact with cigarette smoke. In Poland, the annual death rate of smokers is close to 70 000, while 8 000 say goodbye to life as a result of passive smoking.

The figures, as you can see, are alarming, which is why World No Tobacco Day is intended to help promote a life without cigarettes and other tobacco products. This is done by raising awareness and knowledge of the harmful consequences of using a disease-causing substance, motivating people to make informed and responsible choices, offering alternative leisure activities, and encouraging - especially young people - to say no to their peers when offered a cigarette by them.

Quitting tobacco products is always beneficial to health, regardless of the age of the smoker and the length of time they have been poisoning their bodies with tobacco smoke. It is also important to emphasise that there is no "safe" daily dose of cigarettes smoked, as even just a few significantly increase the incidence of the aforementioned diseases.