Mexico Faces a Serious Threat from Tobacco Use
Alarming smoking rates in Mexico cause over 60,000 deaths annually. The UNAM Faculty of Medicine is leading the fight with a 100% smoke-free campus, advocating for a tobacco-free future.
The impact of tobacco consumption in Mexico is a public health crisis of alarming proportions. Each year, over 60,000 Mexicans succumb to diseases linked directly to smoking, such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. The stark reality is that tobacco use is responsible for half of all cancer deaths, as highlighted by Ana Carolina Sepúlveda Vildósola, the director of the Faculty of Medicine (FM) at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
In a recent event commemorating the first anniversary of the FM's recognition as a "100 percent smoke and emissions-free school," held in conjunction with World No Smoking Day, Sepúlveda Vildósola emphasized the gravity of the situation. She noted that smoking is deemed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the leading cause of preventable illness, disability, and premature death globally. Smoking, she asserted, is an unnecessary habit with devastating consequences.
The statistics are staggering: globally, eight million people die annually due to diseases associated with tobacco use, with 1.2 million of these being passive smokers—individuals who do not smoke themselves but are exposed to secondhand smoke. In Mexico, the Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2023 reported a smoking prevalence of 15.3 percent among adults over 15 years old, amounting to over 14 million smokers. Additionally, an equal number of individuals are unintentionally exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.
The toll on the younger population is particularly distressing. Annually, 65,000 children under the age of five in Mexico die from respiratory infections caused by secondhand smoke exposure. This highlights the critical need for comprehensive tobacco control measures that protect all members of society, especially the most vulnerable.
The Faculty of Medicine at UNAM has taken significant steps to combat this public health menace. Last year, the FM was recognized as a space entirely free of tobacco smoke and emissions. This achievement is a testament to the faculty's dedication to fostering a healthy environment for its students and staff. Sepúlveda Vildósola expressed pride in this milestone, hoping it would inspire other faculties and eventually lead to a smoke-free university.
By maintaining a smoke-free environment, the FM ensures clean air and nurtures future non-smoking healthcare professionals who can serve as role models for their patients. The Anti-Smoking Clinic at the FM, which has been serving the university community and the general population for nearly 25 years, plays a crucial role in these efforts. It provides support for those aiming to quit smoking and complements the smoke-free space programs.
The distinction of being a 100 percent smoke- and emissions-free space is granted by the Ministry of Health of Mexico City and the Institute for the Care and Prevention of Addictions. It acknowledges compliance with the protocols set forth in the Health Protection Law for Non-Smokers in Mexico City. The FM proudly displays this recognition, signaling its commitment to public health and inviting the community to join in promoting smoke-free living.
During the commemorative event held at the Fernando Ocaranza auditorium, Ricardo Antonio Escamilla Santiago, head of the FM Public Health Department, reflected on the devastating impact of smoking on society. He underscored the importance of continuing to promote healthy lifestyle choices and smoke-free environments. The FM's commitment to training health professionals extends beyond treatment to include advocacy for prevention and the promotion of tobacco-free lives.
The efforts of the Faculty of Medicine at UNAM, spearheaded by dedicated individuals like Guadalupe Ponciano Rodríguez, coordinator of the FM's Tobacco Research and Prevention Program, and the Tobacco Smoke-Free Spaces Committee, are commendable. Their work serves as a reminder of the ongoing responsibility to maintain high standards and act as a model for others to follow. This recognition is not just an honor but a call to action—a commitment to uphold and propagate these vital health standards within the faculty and beyond, fostering a healthier, smoke-free future for all.
