Stub it out

Today was 'World No Tobacco Day'. This year's focus is making youth more aware of the dangers of smoking. Designated by the World Health Organisation, World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) has been observed on May 31 every year since 1988.

While Singapore has one of the lowest youth smoking rates in the region, with only 9 per cent of youths smoking at least one day in the last 30 days, a significant portion of the campaign will still be targeted at young smokers.

Lisabel Ting

I'm aware some of you are smokers and you find it difficult to kick the habit. You've to make an effort and it's really in the mind. Cigarettes are expensive and smoking is detrimental to your health. Maybe the next article will convince you further.

Smoking can lead to early balding
The claim: Smoking can cause the loss of hair. The facts: If an increased risk of respiratory illness, cancer and heart disease are not reason enough for many smokers to consider quitting, than perhaps a message focused on hair instead of health may do the trick.

Scientists have long speculated cigarette smoke may accelerate hair loss and premature greying. The association was largely attributed to toxins in smoke that can harm hair follicles and damage hormones. According to epidemiological studies, that appears to be the case. A report in the journal BMJ looked at more than 600 men and women, half of them smokers.

After controlling for variables, the researchers found a 'significant' and 'consistent' link between smoking and early greying. Last year, another team studied the link in a group of 740 men in Taiwan, aged 40 to 91 years, notable because Asian men generally have low rates of hereditary baldness. After controlling for age and family histories, the researchers found a greater rate of hair loss among the smokers, a risk that grew with increasing smoking.

One question is whether the link is a result of tobacco toxins directly affecting the scalp, or if smoking is causing severe disease that speeds ageing.

The bottom line: Several studies suggest smoking can lead to premature greying and hair loss. The New York Times