May 31 marked the 39th World No Tobacco Day. In response to the call for tobacco control and to safeguard the physical and mental health of adolescents by keeping them away from the harms of tobacco and e-cigarettes, the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of Affiliated Bishan Hospital recently visited a school to conduct a dedicated health education campaign on tobacco control. Through professional medical knowledge, the team aimed to strengthen the foundation of health for young people. The event primarily targeted university students, focusing on key topics such as the harms of tobacco use, scientific methods for smoking cessation, and practical skills for refusing cigarettes. It also sought to guide young people toward a firm commitment to avoiding their first cigarette.
During the lecture, Han Rui, Associate Chief Physician of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, clearly illustrated the harms of tobacco use through authoritative data and clinical case studies. He noted that the smoking rate among people aged 15 and above in China is 23.2%, and more than one million people die each year due to tobacco-related causes. Tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 chemical substances, at least 69 of which are carcinogenic. It can trigger cancers, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). On average, smokers have a life expectancy shortened by approximately 10 years. He further emphasized that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand or third-hand smoke, and that ventilation systems or designated smoking rooms cannot eliminate the associated health risks. E-cigarettes are not harmless either; they contain nicotine, heavy metals, and other harmful substances that can damage the heart and lungs, impair development, and pose a serious threat to adolescent health. Han particularly stressed that adolescence is a critical period of physical and mental development. Smoking and nicotine exposure can harm brain development, reduce lung function, and negatively affect learning ability and physical fitness, making tobacco a “silent killer” of healthy growth.
The students listened attentively and actively asked questions, creating a lively and engaging interactive atmosphere. The event helped guide young people toward establishing healthy attitudes and values, allowing the concept of a smoke-free life to take root on campus and flourish among students.
（Translated by AI）
