Half Assini (W/R), Aug 18, GNA 97 Mr. Augustine Nwolley, a Disease Control Officer at the Half Assini Government Hospital, has said female cigarette smokers die earlier than their male counterparts. He said women smokers reduce their age by 15 years while men smokers had theirs by 14 years.

Mr. Nwolley said this at Nzemaman Senior High School at Half Assini on Thursday when addressing final year students of the school. He was speaking on the topic: Harmful Effects of Tobacco Smoking". He said smoking causes pre mature ageing, low sperm count, ulcer, cancer, lung diseases and spontaneous abortion. Others include heart diseases, stroke, circulatory diseases, heartache and narrow arteries.

Mr. Nwolley said passive smokers were also in danger of being affected negatively and appealed to people to avoid getting clos to tobacco smokers.

The Disease Control Unit of Half Assini Hospital in conjunction with Jomoro District Assembly organized the programme as part of activities marking World Tobacco Day.