India is facing a smoking death crisis and it has been predicted by a research study that one million people will die every year from tobacco smoking in India in the next 10 years,” stated Dr Zafar Ahmed Iqbal, Associate Consultant, Critical Care and Pulmonology, Fortis Hospital, Mohali while addressing over 300 inmates and staff of the Burail Model Jail on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day.
“A puff of cigarette smoke has more than 4000 chemicals,” Dr. Iqbal stated. “Of these, 10 percent are carcinogens i.e. cancer causing agents or they are poisonous chemicals like tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide. Nicotine is a very addictive psychoactive substance which causes a change in the person’s mood or behaviour. Tar is the same black substance that is used to make roads.
Through cigarette smoke, tiny pieces of tar condense and form a very dangerous sticky coating on the bronchial tubes. Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless, poisonous gas released by burning tobacco which interferes with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.”
Most parts of Punjab and few parts Haryana still have a high consumption of tobacco. Especially in Punjab and Chandigarh tobacco sector continues to account for the highest revenue collection. Sometime back tobacco products like ‘Gutka’ was banned but still it sales openly in the market flouting all the rules.
Revealing the alarming facts to the inmates, Dr. Iqbal said, “The New England Journal of Medicine study found that smoking already accounts for 900,000 deaths a year in India. Without action, the death toll from smoking would climb still further. It predicted that smoking could soon account for 20percent of all male deaths and 5 percent of all female deaths between the ages of 30 and 69.
In fact, about 90 percent of lung cancer deaths in men and almost 80 percent of lung cancer deaths in women are due to smoking. People who smoke are 10 to 20 times more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than people who do not smoke,” he added.
To curb the ill effect of tobacco the Government has levied heavy duty on tobacco products especially cigarettes. However it has failed to work as a deterrent and have given rise to a thriving illegal market.
According to a survey, Tobacco sector continues to account for the highest revenue to tax percentage loss to the Government at over 60 percent and Punjab is no exception. The State of Punjab is one of the fastest growing markets for illegal cigarettes in the country. These locally manufactured cigarettes have over 15 percent share of the total cigarette market and are continuously growing in the State of Punjab.
Consequently, the Government suffers revenue loss of over Rs 75 crore annually. Illegal cigarettes are sold in the market at one fifth the price of legal product. The loss of revenue to the Government because of the illegal cigarettes trade is staggering, but, the cost to the health of smokers of illegal cigarettes is incalculable.
On the other hand Under Article 13 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) parties must implement measures that allow for a comprehensive ban on direct and indirect tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
But alas! Tobacco companies use various methods of advertisement for their product. Advertising increases tobacco consumption. Young people are particularly vulnerable to it and are the main target of brand stretching. Having a favourite cigarette been observed to be associated with future smoking or likelihood of trying tobacco.
A recent study done by Dr Sonu Goel, Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh which was funded by the the UNION against tuberculosis and lung disease, South East Asia, New Delhi shows that the violations of the Control of Tobacco Products Act were observed in almost all the programs irrespective of the timing of the show.
A total of 14 out of 24 violation regarding display of tobacco product in the film was observed in 7-11 pm slots. During 7-11 pm slot, 14 such violations were observed out of total 56 channels 25 percent observed in the period. Similarly, direct display of tobacco products was observed in 6 channels 6.1 percent during the 7-11 pm slot.
In almost all the time slots, the display of mandatory anti-tobacco health spot, and disclaimer was absent. None had advertisements’, which used tobacco products brand name for advertising other goods, services and events, and which markets tobacco products with the aid of a brand name for other good or advertisement using particular colors, layout and presentation those are associated with particular tobacco products.
Fighting all odds health officials are on constant vigil and tries to promote a tobacco free society. Dr Iqbal’s effort to create awareness among the inmates of the Burail Jail inmates is one among many.
In his this effort exhorting the audience to give up tobacco, Dr Iqbal said, “Whether it is Chewing Tobacco, Snuff, Pipes, Cigars or Cigarettes, they are all equally dangerous and account for 1 out of every 10 deaths in India. It is estimated that an average tobacco user spends around Rs.1,50,000 every 10 years on this habit. By giving up tobacco, you will be able to spend this money on the welfare of your family and yourself.”