Tobacco is killing our planet
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is observing World No Tobacco Day on May 31 to raise awareness on the adverse health and environmental impacts of smoking and consuming tobacco products
Are you aware that every bit of cigarette and tobacco products is detrimental to health and ecology? Apart from causing cancer and a plethora of life-threatening ailments, cigarette smoke releases toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, pollutants and poisonous gases into the atmosphere, while nonbiodegradable cigarette butts and tobacco pouches and the process of producing and curing tobacco leaves cause soil and water pollution. If the government earns a revenue of around `18,000 cr from the sale of tobacco-products, ironically, it incurs an expenditure of about `1 lakh cr towards treating tobacco-related ailments among the public.
IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH
Elaborating on the harmful impacts of tobacco on both active and passive smokers, Dr Muralikrishna Voonna, chief surgical oncologist and MD of Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Vizag, says, “Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco products is now considered a global epidemic, and it proves fatal for at least 50% of users. It is the single biggest cause of preventable deaths. Apart from primarily causing lung and oral (head and neck) cancer, tobacco leads to cerebrovascular accidents (strokes), cardiac ailments, peripheral vascular disorder, COPD and lung disorders, and aggravates asthma, diabetes and almost all existing ailments. It has been found that 20% of cancers are related to tobacco.”
MITIGATING POLICIES
Discussing mitigation measures, the doctor says, “The government needs to increase taxation on tobacco-related products, include chapters on harmful effects of tobacco in school curriculums, ensure implementation of the ban on tobacco sale within 100 metres of schools, and support tobacco farmers in cultivating sustainable alternative crops. Tobacco industry workers must also be encouraged to diversify to other profitable businesses. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) should penalise tobacco companies for misleading the public and causing damage.”