Assam legislators pledge to make state tobacco-free

A large number of legislators in Assam, cutting across party lines, Thursday pledged to make their constituencies free from tobacco and save children in the state from the menace.

By: Editorial Team | | Published: January 17, 2014 12:58 pm

A large number of legislators in Assam, cutting across party lines, Thursday pledged to make their constituencies free from tobacco and save children in the state from the menace. Also Read - Ganesh Chaturthi 2020: 4 reasons an eco-friendly Ganesha is good for you

The MLAs took the pledge as part of an anti-tobacco drive carried out by the Voluntary Health Association of Assam (VHAA), a non-profit organisation involved in the field of public and rural health, in association with Voice of Tobacco Victims. Also Read - 7 reasons why the #BeefBan is good

Its aim was to create awareness among politicians on the hazardous impact of tobacco and also seek their support in making Assam a tobacco-free state. (Read: 8 reasons why smoking is bad for your beauty) Also Read - Japanese Encephalitis: Assam keeps on hold leaves of doctors, paramedics

‘The legislators signed a pledge to this end today (Thursday) and promised to make all educational institutions tobacco-free in his or her constituency,’ said Ruchira Neog of the VHAA. (Read: Oral cancer: Playing with fire)

They also pledged to put in efforts for total prohibition on the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational Institutions, and prevent buying or selling of tobacco products by anyone below the age of 18, Neog said.

The Global Adult Tobacco Survey, carried out in 2010, said that in Assam, the percentage of tobacco users is 39.3 compared to 34.6 percent across India. Over 52 percent of males and 25 percent females use tobacco in some form or the other, Neog said. (Read: Giving up the tobacco habit – a cancer survivor’s tale)

A.C. Kataki, director of the Dr. B. Barooah Cancer Institute in Assam, said smoking and chewing tobacco were the most important risk factors for cancer, and 55-60 percent of all cancers in male and 25-30 percent in females are tobacco-related in the northeastern region of India.

We talked to Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, a cancer surgeon at Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital and one of the country’s foremost anti-tobacco campaigners and the driving force behind the organisation Voice of Tobacco Victims.

Why do you think people are unable to quit tobacco? What are the main obstacles?

People are unable to quit because of addiction to nicotine. People are dependent on it and hence it becomes difficult to quit. The effect of nicotine is widespread ranging from elevated mood, cognition and reduced fatigue. Over a period of time with continued use, the person needs more nicotine through tobacco use and hence smokes or chews more tobacco.

How many Indians do you think are afflicted by tobacco?

In India about 275 million adults consume tobacco as per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey report 2010. Out of which 68.9 million are smokers and 163.7 million are smokeless tobacco users. 42.3 million people use both.

Do you think we are being manipulated by the tobacco industry? How?

The tobacco industry uses strategic tactics to dilute the tobacco control policy. They see to it that policies are delayed, diluted or weakened before implementation. They promote their products either through indirect advertisements or by creating new products which will promote the brand name. They also do other things like investing in corporate social responsibility or giving out bravery awards to give the impression that they’re trying to improve society. It’s an open secret that most of the bidi and smokeless tobacco industry is run by politicians or at least has the strong support of politicians. If this wasn’t enough, it also strengthens its grip by giving huge amounts as political donations. (Read: ‘The tobacco industry uses strategic tactics to dilute the tobacco control policy’)

Withinputs from: IANS

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Published : January 17, 2014 12:58 pm

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