The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that about 30% of people who smoke tobacco are at risk of developing cancer, while more than 8 million people worldwide die every year due to tobacco-related effects. In Rwanda alone, over 2,100 people die annually because of tobacco use.
Tobacco contains nicotine, one of the most harmful toxic substances affecting the human body. Nicotine can make a person feel temporarily stimulated, but it also damages the body and can ultimately lead to serious illness and death.
When someone smokes tobacco, nicotine reaches the brain quickly and spreads rapidly through the bloodstream, affecting various organs.
The Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) encourages Rwandans to avoid smoking in public places and especially near children, because tobacco smoke can have serious health effects on young people.
Children who inhale cigarette smoke are at a higher risk of respiratory problems, including asthma, and in severe cases they may die at a young age due to complications linked to secondhand smoke.
Pregnant women who smoke are also at greater risk of giving birth to babies with health problems, including babies born with low birth weight or stillbirth.
Some of the major health effects linked to nicotine in tobacco include:
Lung cancer
Heart diseases, often related to high blood pressure
Bad breath
Discoloration of teeth and fingernails or toenails
Memory problems
Stroke and many other serious illnesses
Dr. John Butonzi, a cancer specialist at Butaro Hospital, explained that five out of every 20 cancer patients they receive were affected by tobacco use.
He said, “When you look at the 20 cancer patients we receive each day, about five of them developed cancer due to the effects of tobacco.”
Dr. Butonzi described the situation as concerning, noting that many people continue to smoke even though they are aware of its harmful effects. Tobacco is widely known for its addictive nature.
Some smokers interviewed said that quitting tobacco is not easy.Claver Habumugisha, 48, who lives in Nyange Sector in Musanze District, said he started smoking because of his parents.
He explained, “I grew up seeing both my father and mother smoking tobacco, even sharing it from the same pipe. When I became a young man and went to live with my grandmother, I used to light tobacco for her and sometimes take a puff. At first it made me dizzy, but eventually I got used to it and continued smoking while taking care of livestock.”
He added that although he does not directly blame tobacco for his situation, he would never allow his children to smoke, because it could affect their education.
He said, “I smoked because I grew up in a place where it seemed normal, but my children are in school and I would never allow them to smoke. It would negatively affect their studies.”
Julienne Mujawamariya from Burera District is among those who successfully quit smoking, even though it was difficult. She said she smoked for many years before deciding to stop and now encourages others to do the same.
She said, “For those who believe quitting tobacco is impossible, I want to tell them it is absolutely possible. Tobacco kills, and it also wastes money that could be used for more useful things in the family.”
Dr. Butonzi also urged people to stop smoking, saying, “We encourage people to quit tobacco because, besides lung cancer, it also causes other diseases such as blood disorders, colon diseases, and many more.”
