Globally, tobacco use is the second-leading cause of preventable deaths. It is a rising concern that while tobacco consumption is declining in high-income countries, it is increasing in low and middle income countries.
On World No Tobacco Day, The Pioneer explores the tobacco usage in the state of Uttarakhand and how the non-smokers are passively getting affected by this menace at home.
A study published by the Global Adult Tobacco Survey indicates that the prevalence of tobacco use in any form in Uttarakhand state is approximately 31 per cent, which is the highest of all the northern states of India. Though the number of females actively smoking is quite less in the state - 5.8 per cent against 43.9 per cent males, yet the females and the children bear the brunt 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.It is more astonishing that 62 per cent of daily users consumed tobacco within half an hour of waking up when the other members of the family especially household women and children have no option but staying at home and become passive smokers.
Speaking to this correspondent, district programme officer, 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.”A dangerous combination of high tobacco usage prevalence and ignorance about its dangers to passive smokers suggests the need to develop effective and evidence based interventions to prevent a health and development disaster in Uttarakhand.
A housewife from Jagjeetpur, Nirmala Devi, whose husband is a chain smoker laments, "My husband wants to quite smoking but he feels stressed when he does. So he starts again. We have small one room house and children have to bear when he smokes inside. Our 10 year old son has started coughing frequently."
Working on the possible solutions, Acharya Balkrishna of Patanjali Yog Peeth said, “Certain herbal combinations help the tobacco addicts quit this habit easily.
These combinations of various herbs and spices give the feeling of tobacco munching to the user but in no way harm the health of a person.”