Tobacco consumption is the second-leading cause of preventable death worldwide. A study says that while tobacco consumption is declining in high-income countries, its consumption is increasing in low and middle income countries. Ironically, Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has the highest prevalence of tobacco consumption amongst other northern States of India. A study published by the Global Adult Tobacco Survey indicates that the prevalence of tobacco use in any form in Uttarakhand is approximately 31 per cent, highest of all the northern States.
By 2030, 70 per cent of tobacco-related deaths are predicted to occur in low and middle income countries like India. WHO has predicted that by 2020 tobacco deaths in India may exceed. On Anti-Tobacco Day which falls on 31 May, The Pioneer finds out how the non-smokers are passively getting affected by this menace at home.
Though 5.8 per cent females actively smoke in the state, says the GATS report, against 43.9 per cent males, yet the females and the children bear the brunt of abuse of tobacco at homes. The study indicates that 85 per cent of adults are exposed to second-hand smoke at home and nearly 50 per cent at public places.
Speaking to The Pioneer, district programme officer in the department of child development Mohit Chaudhary said, “Based on a study, it is found that women and children are four times more vulnerable to lung diseases caused by tobacco than men. Tobacco chewing by mother affects the foetus in the womb. Unsafe chullahs (fire places) are another reason for increase in lung diseases in rural women since they inhale more smoke than what a regular smoker produces puffing 10 cigarettes.”
Also the study reveals that 62 per cent of daily users consume tobacco within half an hour of waking up when the other members of the family, especially household women and children, are asleep. They inhale the unhealthy fumes and become passive smokers.
The prevalence of high tobacco consumption and the ignorance about its hazards it causes to the second-hand smokers suggests the need to develop effective and evidence based interventions to prevent a health and development disaster in Uttarakhand. The problem is worse in rural areas. A domestic help, Kiran Devi working in Shivalike Nagar says, “My husband is a chain smoker. He wants to quit smoking. But once he quits he gets constipation problem. So he starts again. We have small one room house and children have to bear when he smokes inside. My tiny toddler has started coughing off and on.”
