Smoking remains one of the leading causes of serious diseases worldwide. Every year, millions of people die due to the effects of smoking and exposure to cigarette smoke. In Indonesia, the number of smokers is still relatively high and continues to be a major concern in the healthcare sector.

Cigarettes contain more than 7,000 harmful chemicals. Some of them include nicotine, which causes addiction; tar, which can damage the lungs; and carbon monoxide, which reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen throughout the body.

The harmful effects of smoking are not always immediately noticeable. Damage can develop slowly over many years without clear symptoms. Chronic cough, shortness of breath, blood vessel disorders, and serious diseases such as lung cancer, stroke, and heart attacks are some of the possible risks.

World No Tobacco Day, commemorated every May 31st, serves as a reminder to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining health from an early stage. Quitting smoking and undergoing regular health check-ups can be the first steps toward reducing the risk of disease in the future.

PRAMITA Friends, health is a choice that starts today.