Chilean Women Highest Smoking Rate

A recent article I read stated that...
--------------------------------
A recent World Health Organization study of 193 nations determined that 36.8 percent of Chile’s female population smokes an average of eight cigarettes daily, giving Chile the highest percentage of women smokers in the world. The study found that three out of every ten females under the age of 15 in Chile are addicted to tobacco.

The study, attributed female smoking addiction to successful PR efforts by the tobacco industry, aimed at making female smoking “en vogue” and related to women’s liberty and sexual freedoms. While young female smokers may start for those reasons, after several years cigarettes become a form of stress relief, a way to escape anxiety or tension, and, oftentimes, an addiction.

The rise of women smokers in Chile has had a major impact on health. The number of female deaths due to pulmonary cancer has almost doubled in the last 15 years, says the Ministry of Health. Cases of brain aneurysms, hypertension, and throat cancer - all statistically linked to smoking - have increased significantly as well. There are 14,000 deaths each year (male and female) related to tobacco smoking.

While Chile may have the world’s greatest percent of women smokers, even more Chilean men than women smoke. Nearly half - 48.3 percent – of the nation’s male population smokes, ranking Chile 21 in terms of male smokers. Indonesia, with 69 percent, and Armenia with 67.5 percent, topped the list. Statistics tracking male smokers suggest that the number of male smokers is decreasing.

Chile’s public health authorities said a publicity campaign is planned for the second half o this year to discourage teenage smoking. Certain aspects of the recently passed anti-smoking laws also target a younger demographic. For example, tobacco cannot be sold within 100 meters of a primary school, and shops selling tobacco within 300 meters of secondary schools cannot advertise their product. Additionally, bars that choose to allow smoking must enforce a strict 18 and over rule.

SOURCE: LA TERCERA
----------------------
Ministry Implications:
-Satan's unbroken cycle of sin manifests itself in many different forms and habits.
-Sin's effects on the human body are numerous.
-The Gospel and victory through Christ alone is the only answer for sin.

Continue to pray for our family to be effective testimonies and witnesses of the Gospel and Christ's power to change lives.