AYV News, June 2, 2026
The United Nations has raised fresh concerns over the global impact of tobacco use, revealing that tobacco consumption causes around 8 million deaths each year, including more than one million deaths linked to exposure to second-hand smoke.
According to the UN, smoking remains one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, with serious health consequences affecting smokers and non-smokers alike.
“Smoking kills,” the organization warned, emphasizing that quitting tobacco is possible and that the benefits of stopping increase over time.
Health experts note that the longer an individual remains tobacco-free, the greater the improvement in overall health and the lower the risk of developing tobacco-related diseases.
In Sierra Leone, health authorities continue to encourage citizens to avoid tobacco use and adopt healthier lifestyles as part of broader efforts to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory illnesses.
The warning comes amid ongoing global campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco and promoting smoke-free environments to protect public health.
