For immediate publication                                                      30 November 2006

 

 

 

Smokers may be at greater risk of HIV infection than non-smokers and stopping smoking may increase the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS prevention programmes.

 

Smokers were 60% to 250% more likely to acquire an HIV infection than nonsmokers, according to a review published in the scientific journal Sexually Transmitted Infections. 

 

The ABC message for preventing HIV/AIDS should be changed to ABCD, says the National Council Against Smoking. To the message “Abstain, be faithful, use condoms” should be added “Don’t smoke”.

 

Cigarette smoking is known to weaken the immune system. As a result, smokers are more prone to infections, including pneumonia, TB and sexually transmitted infections. To this list should be added an increased risk of becoming infected with HIV.  

 

World Health Organization experts said on Tuesday that worldwide by 2015 Aids will kill 4,3 million people a year and tobacco 6,4 million.

 

“Smoking and Aids are two huge preventable epidemics,” says the NCAS, “and by reducing cigarette smoking, the indications are we can also help reduce the spread of HIV. It’s a double-win situation. It is even more vital that the changes to the tobacco control laws now being considered by Parliament be processed with urgency.”