Complete ban on tobacco demanded

Dr Surya Kant, HoD respiratory medicine, King George’s Medical University, has demanded a complete ban on tobacco, including its farming, processing and sale.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Dr Surya Kant wrote, “Combined tax revenue from tobacco products annually is Rs 35,600 crore according to ministry of finance data 2015-16, while annual medical cost for tobacco related ailments is around Rs 1,04,500 crore.” He demanded tobacco be banned completely.

The department conducted a patient awareness programme to mark the day. Apart from KGMU several other organisations conducted awareness programmes in the state capital.

The IMA, Lucknow organised a seminar. Dr Pranjal Agrawal spoke on how nicotine ruins the body. Dr JD Rawat, HoD paediatric surgery at KGMU spoke on tobacco-related illness among youngsters.

“When you smoke at home, you put your loved ones at risk by making them second-hand smokers as they too inhale the same smoke coming out of your mouth. Even if you smoke in office, you harm your colleagues,” said Dr Abhishek Shukla, secretary-general, Association of International Doctors, explaining the harmful impact from second-hand smoke.

Smoking cigarettes, cigars or a pipe, or chewing tobacco puts you at high risk of esophageal carcinoma, said Dr Sumit Rungta, HoD, gastroenterology, KGMU.

“Tobacco farmers should be motivated towards alternate crops as we need food not tobacco,” said Dr Renu Srivastava Verma, directorgeneral, medical and health, while addressing the workshop on World No Tobacco Day on Wednesday.