Less Smoking, Less TB, More Lives Saved

Researchers from the University of California San Francisco note less smoking would mean saving more lives world wide from dying of tuberculosis. The study reveals smokers have twice the chance of developing lung infection in comparison to non-smokers.

Researcher's state according to their study there will be over 18 million cases worldwide between the years 2010 and 2050 due to the fact smoking increases the risk of developing tuberculosis (TB). The study is published in BMJ and was led by Dr. Sanjay Basu M.D., PhD.

Researchers had used a mathematical model of tuberculosis epidemics to determine how smoking rates would affect World Health Organization regions form 2010 to 2050. Researchers had also included trends in case detection, HIV prevalence, smoking, success of treatment.

Researchers had concluded that less smoking would save over 20 million lives.

According to Dr. John Moore-Gillion, TB specialist and honorary adviser for the British Lung Foundation had noted that it has been about 20 years since WHO has proclaimed tuberculosis as a "global health" emergency. He further notes since then rates have risen and not fallen for the risk of developing TB.

The researcher's conclusion of their report states tobacco smoking can greatly increase TB cases and deaths worldwide in the upcoming years. "Aggressive tobacco control could avert millions of deaths from tuberculosis."

Tuberculosis or TB for short is a contagious disease like a cold which spreads through the air. Only those who have TB in their lungs are infectious. When infectious people cough, talk, spit or sneeze they release TB germs into the air. These germs are called bacilli.

If not treated each person who has active TB disease will infect on average between 10 to 15 people each year.

In total, one-third of the world's population is infected with TB bacillus. Around five to ten percent of those persons (who are not infected with HIV) become sick or infectious sometime during their life. People with HIV and TB infection are more than likely to develop tuberculosis.

Around 22,000 cases of TB disease are reported each year in the United States. Around 10 to 15 million Americans are infected with TB and could develop TB disease during their life time.

To learn more about TB you can view the fact sheet at CDC TB Fact Sheet.

There are alternative therapies to stop smoking without dangerous side effects. One of these alternatives has a 66% success rate, hypnotherapy.

Do not expect to see immediate results for it can take several sessions to stop smoking. Make sure you seek a qualified hypnotherapist that has received formal education and training and certified.

News Week has even reported "Hypnosis can help". More and more research is supporting the practice as an effective treatment tool that not only can help you with smoking cessation but treats a wide range of conditions like OCD, chronic pain, stress, cancer pain and anxiety.

Sources:
BBC News
Times of India
IB Times
WHO International