Eighty per cent of premature deaths in India are from tobacco-related causes, said Dr V Shanta, chairperson of the Cancer Institute (WIA). She was speaking at the inaugural function of the workshop on Tobacco-Free Workplace Policies organised at the Adyar Cancer Institute recently.
“What we are seeing is an increase in absolute numbers of people taking to tobacco, While countries like the USA and the UK have succeeded in reducing the percentage of their population taking to tobacco, we have not been able to do that. The US has been able to reduce tobacco consumption from 52 per cent to 23 per cent and the UK from 64 per cent to 28. But in India, over 47 per cent of males still use tobacco. Correspondingly the number of lung cancer cases has also seen a rise in the country,” she said.
The problem is especially acute in the north-eastern parts of the country, she added. Studies have shown that in these areas even young children are taking to tobacco in large numbers. The veteran doctor urged corporates, government offices and other NGOs to perform surveys on the use of tobacco.
“Unless we have actual data it is difficult for health planners to even design a project. So we need surveys and regular audits in this area,” she said. The doctor added that creating awareness and educating the population could go a long way. “Studies have shown that with increase in education, the number of women taking to tobacco declines,” she said.
Inaugurating the function, special secretary to Health and Family Welfare Department P Senthil Kumar said that the government was at the forefront in tackling tobacco consumption.
“A study published in the British Medical Journal had pointed out that there is a positive correlation between tobacco-free work places and tobacco-free homes. So when smoking is banned at the work place, it not only improves productivity at the work place but also encourages people to quit smoking at home. So we look forward to encouraging initiatives like these,” he said.
Speaking about the intensity of the problem, Director and Dean of the Cancer Institute Dr T G Sagar said that tobacco use was the single largest preventable cause of disease, death and disability in the world. But tobacco consumption is only increasing, he said.
“It is the biggest cause of cancer in males in India today. In spite of this as many as 5500 people take up smoking in India every day,” he said.
The doctor urged the government to take steps to improve legislation to fight tobacco under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) of which India is a signatory. “
What we need to target is advertisement, promotion and sponsorship by tobacco companies,” he said.
