TOGETHER WE CAN PUT UP A BRAVE FIGHT AGAINST TOBACCO ADDICTION

31 May 2018

85 comments

We might not realize, but tobacco is one of the most common causes of death in India. Every year, our country contributes one-sixth to the six million tobacco-related deaths across the globe. We have 11.2% of the world’s total smokers. Tobacco not only harms individuals but also devastates families. The World No-Tobacco Day gives us an opportunity to create awareness on the hazards of tobacco consumption and attenuating it.

Consumption of tobacco in any form is highly detrimental to our as well as the health of our loved ones. According to Global Adult Tobacco Survey (India, 2016-2017), 19.0% men, 2.0% women and 10.7% of all adults smoke tobacco, while 29.6% men, 12.8% women and 21.4% of all adults use smokeless tobacco in the country. Although the figures are alarming, it has witnessed a drop from 34.6% in ’09-’10 to 28.6% in ’16-’17. It is a welcoming sight and shows how our effort can bring a larger change in the society.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), 16.0% women and 68.5% men in Madhya Pradesh are active tobacco consumers. Serious measures are being taken up to raise awareness and bring this down. Following our pledge during Narmada Seva Yatra, we launched a state-wide नशा मुक्ति अभियान. Works are underway to create awareness among tobacco users about the dangers of their consumption.

Improving public health has always been a major commitment for us. Madhya Pradesh was the first state in India to put a ban on tobacco. We also initiated a नशा बंदी योजना to contain the use of tobacco in the state and provide healthcare and rehabilitation facilities to tobacco quitters. It is the result of these small steps that helped in dropping of overall consumption of tobacco in the state by 5%, according to the second GAT report. Although we’ve been able to welcome visible results, there is still a lot of room left for improvement.

Apart from affecting the lungs, tobacco consumption is equally harmful to the brain and nerves, which thwarts productivity. The smoke of tobacco is very harmful to the health of pregnant women too. I strongly believe the government alone cannot change the scenario. People should realize the ramification of their addiction and how it can pose a threat not only to themselves but also to the country at large and feel an impulsive need to quit it. The society also plays a pivotal role in this process. Public participation can go a long way in raising awareness on the catastrophic effect of tobacco addiction. As we know doing away with an addiction is never easy, we should take up the collective responsibility to motivate victims. There is a dire need for people to encourage and empathize with people who are trying to quit tobacco.

We know tobacco is also one of the major reasons for cardiovascular diseases and big deterrent to a healthy body. Hence, let’s work to root it out from our society. It is possible to do so.  All we need is a positive attitude towards it and a strong belief in nothing is impossible.