Like to Smoke? Beware of the Ramifications

Many studies have shown that tobacco use is a significant factor in miscarriage and low birth weight babies. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant are advised to stop smoking. Women who smoke during pregnancy are about twice as likely to experience premature rupture of membranes (water break before term), placental abruption, bleeding and high blood pressure during pregnancy.

The tobacco industry is a huge cash cow for the Indian Government. It contributes about 10% of India's excise revenue. Apart from this, the industry employs over 50 lakh people. About 5% of the Indian population cultivates tobacco. India is the second-largest producer of tobacco after China. India is also the second-largest exporter of tobacco after Brazil. Banning such products would cause a loss of livelihood for a lot of people. A complete ban on cigarettes and other tobacco products will create a parallel black market and the government will lose the revenue from such products. However, irrespective of this context we at an individual level should do our best in terms of restraining and eventually abandoning tobacco products.

Tobacco consumption that is started at the adolescent stage leads to 'accelerated dependency' within a short period of time. Tobacco consumption particularly over prolonged periods has been consistently linked to heart disease, cancers and premature mortality. The overall tobacco usage is around 11% among young people in India in the age group of 15-24 years and this is a matter of grave concern.

The health hazards of tobacco are immense. Smoking leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of the body. Apart from cancer and heart disease, smoking and chewing tobacco causes stroke, lung disease, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease including emphysema and bronchitis. Smoking also increases the risk of tuberculosis, eye diseases, and problems with the immune system including rheumatoid arthritis. People having second-hand smoke exposure (passive smokers) are also at the same risk.

Tobacco smoking during pregnancy causes many detrimental effects on health and reproduction. Many studies have shown that tobacco use is a significant factor in miscarriage and low birth weight babies. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant are advised to stop smoking. Women who smoke during pregnancy are about twice as likely to experience premature rupture of membranes (water break before term), placental abruption, bleeding and high blood pressure during pregnancy. Babies born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy are at increased risk for Tourette Syndrome (remember Rani Mukherjee in the film Hichki), tick disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, cleft palette and other birth defects.

India also accounts for 70% of the global burden of smokeless tobacco. Smokeless tobacco is the cause of 90% of oral cancers. Here comes the role of the society to show the right path to the youngsters through awareness meetings in public places, media both TV and print, in schools through banners and plays, etc.

The Government of India launched the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in the year 2007-08 with the aim to-

1. Create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.

2. Reduce the production and supply of tobacco products.

3. Ensure effective implementation of 'Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution Act 2003.'

4. Help people quit tobacco use.

5. Facilitate implementation of strategies advocated by WHO.

Lastly, smoking is an expensive habit. It entails heavy financial costs. Smoking also affects our relationships with our family, friends and colleagues. Anyone who is a slave to cigarettes, needs to understand that it is never too late to stop smoking. With the help of counsellors, doctors and a good action plan, anyone can quit it for good.

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