World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed on 31 May every year
World Health Organization (WHO) and public health champions around the world observe World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) on 31 May annually, to spread awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use.
The global campaign for the present year aims to raise public awareness about the harmful impact of the tobacco industry on the environment.
Tobacco kills over 8 million people every year and destroys our environment, further harming human health, through the cultivation, production, distribution, consumption, and post-consumer waste.
Tobacco usage among Indians
- India has one of the highest levels of tobacco consumption in the world with more than 275 million tobacco users.
- A variety of tobacco products are available at very low prices in the country.
- More than 1 million adults die each year in India due to tobacco use accounting for 9.5% of overall deaths.
- India faces a dual burden of tobacco use in the form of smoking and smokeless tobacco.?
- The most prevalent form of tobacco use in India is smokeless tobacco and commonly used products are khaini, gutkha, betel quid with tobacco, and zarda.
- Smoking forms of tobacco used are bidi, cigarette, and hookah.
- Of all adults (≥15 years), 28.6% currently consume tobacco either in smoke or smokeless form, including 42.4% of men and 14.2% of women.
- The prevalence of tobacco use in rural areas is higher than in urban areas.?
- Tobacco use in northeastern states remains a challenge, where prevalence is quite high.
Tobacco and cancer; Indian scenario
- Harmful chemicals in tobacco products namely tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) are the most potent cancer-causing substances.
- Tobacco-related cancers constitute the highest-burden among all types of diseases in India.
- As many as 27% of cancer cases were caused due to tobacco consumption.
- Gastrointestinal tract cancers (19.7%) and breast cancer (14.8%) are the other most prevalent cancers in India.
- Lymphoid and hematopoietic malignancies (immune system and blood cancers), cervix cancers, and ovarian cancers are the other common cancers reported due to tobacco consumption.
- The cancers of the lungs, mouth, stomach, and esophagus are most common among males, while breast, cervix, & uteri cancers are common among females.
Tobacco-free initiative (TFI) by WHO
- This campaign aims to promote relevant public health policies that focus on the global issues of tobacco consumption.
- WHO has banned the advertising of tobacco products, sponsorship by tobacco companies, and promotion of any kind as a measure to curb tobacco use.
- WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) is a public health treaty that has been adopted by nations to implement policies to curb tobacco consumption.
National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP)- A Government of India (GOI) initiative?
NTCP was launched with the aim to—
- create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption,
- reduce the production and supply of tobacco products,
- ensure effective implementation of the provisions under “The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) Act, 2003” (COTPA),
- help the people quit tobacco use, and
- facilitate implementation of strategies for prevention and control of tobacco advocated by the WHO Framework Convention of Tobacco Control.
Risk of COVID-19 among smokers
- Smoking impairs lung function, then reduces immunity, and makes it harder for the body to fight off various diseases.
- Smokers have up to a 50% higher risk of developing severe disease and death from COVID-19.
- If smokers contract the COVID-19 virus, they suffer a greater risk of severe infection as their lung health is already compromised and damaged.
- The Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) of COVID-19 almost triples in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD), caused due to long -term smoking, as compared to healthy individuals.
Tips to quit tobacco
A recent survey, brought out by Delhi-based research agency AF Development Care (AFD), suggests the top three methods used for quitting tobacco in India are—
- counseling,
- nicotine replacement therapy, and
- prescribed medications methods.?
The survey asked the respondents?about?the?factors most important to quitting tobacco. The top three answers in this national survey are health problems, doctor’s advice, and family pressure.
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