SMOKING AS A CAUSE OF INCREASED CARDIOVASCULAR PREMATURE AGEING AND MORTALITY

Background. The article deals with the influence of modifiable risk factors, namely tobacco smoking on morbidity and mortality. The concept of reducing the influence of risk factors (harm reduction) was first widely recognized in work with people who are dependent on smoking. According to the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, including an estimated 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke. Purpose of the study: To study the impact of tobacco smoking on public health and the international experience of measures to reduce the harmful effects of this risk factor at the present stage. Materials and methods. The research and publications on the topic of the study were analyzed using sources indexed in eLibrary, Google Academic, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases. The results of a literature review aimed at studying the effectiveness and features of the organization of smoking cessation interventions are presented. Results of the study. A comprehensive approach to reducing the effects of harmful risk factors is yielding positive results. The group of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remains the No. 1 deadly disease category, with alcohol, smoking, unbalanced diet and physical inactivity as the main risk factors. According to the latest data, tobacco smoke is one of the deadliest risk factors for deaths worldwide. While smoking cessation is the best option for reducing the risk of smoking-related diseases, tobacco harm reduction is a complementary approach to existing tobacco control interventions. Conclusion. Perspectives on tobacco harm reduction should focus on reducing the negative health effects of smoking. ‘Tobacco control’ refers to a range of supply, demand and harm reduction strategies aimed at improving public health by eliminating or reducing their use of tobacco products and exposure to tobacco smoke.