Editorial Team
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
The Himachal Pradesh government will soon impose a ban on sale of loose cigarettes and also enhance value-added tax (VAT) on tobacco products, Health Minister Kaul Singh said Thursday. 'The state is making concerted efforts on tobacco control for which an institutional mechanism has been created. An enforcement squad has been notified,' Singh said at a conference on tobacco control organised by health department of government of Karnataka here. (Read: 'Assam government will find it hard to ban all forms of tobacco')
The minister said more than 3,000 gram panchayats of Himachal Pradesh had passed resolutions to participate in effective tobacco control campaign. 'We are the first state in the country to ensure effective ban on advertisements of tobacco products,' he added. 'The state,' he said, 'banned the sale, storage and distribution of tobacco-based products in October 2012.' (Read: )
Here some chemicals present in cigarettes that harm the human body:
Benzene
It is a chemical compound which is present in crude oil and is one of the most basic petrochemicals, commonly used in pesticides and gasoline. It is a known carcinogen, most likely to cause leukaemia (blood cancer) in humans. 50% of benzene exposure is caused due to smoking. Prolonged exposure can also lead to anaemia, genetic damage and excessive bleeding.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a chemical used to preserve dead bodies because it's a disinfectant that kills all microbes. It's responsible for eye irritation and coughing problems, people experience when someone is smoking in the vicinity.
Tar
It's a collective term used to describe the particulate matter produced by the burning of tobacco. The cocktail of chemicals that it contains are all capable of causing a cancer. It's the sticky and brown residue that stains a smoker's teeth, finger and even lungs. Many people believe that it's the only harmful ingredient in cigarettes and this is why most companies have started selling low-tar or 'mild' or 'light' varieties of cigarettes. There's this false impression among people that these light cigarettes are less dangerous, a belief that is erroneous. Also even if the tar content is low, other toxic chemicals are present as gases.
Arsenic
One of the most dangerous compounds around it can cause cancer as well as damage the heart and its blood vessels. Over time, it accumulates in smokers' bodies. Other than the aforementioned effects, it worsens the effect of other chemicals by interfering with our system's ability to repair our DNA. Read more about Can banning cigarettes at home help people quit smoking?
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
You may also like to read:
For more articles on healthcare, visit our healthcare section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our forum.
For more articles on healthcare, visit our healthcare section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our forum.