THE STICK OF DEATH
a poem in honor of World No Tobacco Day 2001

by Dr. Ima-Obong A. Ekanem
President, Nigerian Cancer Society

You may not know what harm there is
In that short stick of cigarette
For therein lies those toxic fumes
Which cause many premature deaths.

Over the years as people consume
Tobacco leaves in various forms
They smoke and chew or snuff them too
But lo, the harm slowly is done.

Women and men whether young or old
Surely will pay dearly with time
For cough and breathlessness untold
Will cause their death early in life.

Too late it is to stop and think
As death from cancer takes its toll
The lungs, throat or mouth will stink
When cancer cells destroy them all.

Why not give up your smoking friend
Or do not even start yet
For life and money do not pretend
You will enjoy without the stick of death.

Dedicated to those whose lives are threatened by the environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in Nigeria.

All correspondences should go to: [email protected]