For the first time in almost two decades, the number of smokers in Brazil increased, breaking a historical downward trend. According to a survey released by the Ministry of Health, the proportion of adult smokers in Brazilian capitals jumped from 9.3% in 2023 to 11.6% in 2024. An increase of 25% in just one year.
The alarming data reignited alert among health authorities. For family and community doctor, Felipe Bruno da Cunha, this increase may be related to the popularization of new products, such as electronic cigarettes, which attract, especially younger people:
“I believe it is very directly related to the new forms associated with smoking. However, in the last decade, we have seen a significant increase, mainly due to electronic cigarettes, vapes. From other types of cigarettes, straw cigarettes, for example. So, hence the significant increase”, he says.
The World Health Organization considers smoking a pandemic, as it is the main cause of preventable death in the world, with approximately 8 million deaths per year. The expert highlights that more than 50 types of diseases can be caused by cigarettes, mainly cardiovascular, respiratory and also around 10 types of cancer.
“There are numerous risks associated with smoking, not only chemical dependency, but also physical complications”, reiterates the doctor.
The doctor also explains the risks of smoking for passive smokers.
“Because those people who live with that smoker also have a risk associated with chronic diseases, mainly, we talk about the correlation itself, including neoplasms, lung cancer. So, it is very important to seek help”, he points out.
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