GET ADDICTED TO LIFE

It was exactly a month ago when one of my colleagues visited my house.

While conversing, he opened his wallet and offered me a small leaf.  Further, he said; ‘Shall we try it? It will give you a mesmerizing experience’.  

Immediately, my mind travelled to my college days and the poor fate of my class mate. A brilliant and glamorous member among our cohort, one day he was tempted by such a situation. That single incident whirled him into a euphoric world, but he never came back.

All efforts to bring him back were in vain. It is still vivid in my crystal memory; the hospital veranda and the gloomy downcast face of his parents.

I whispered, “I am addicted to Life, not to addictions”.

World No Tobacco Day

It is sad to know that millions of people are succumbing to this temptation. I happen to see many people argue vehemently that even if they do not enjoy this habit, they may become a victim of various other illnesses, without deciphering the truth. 

When we observe World No Tobacco Day on 31^st May 2016, World Health Organization (WHO) reminds us certain mind blowing facts of Tobacco.

Key facts

·         Tobacco kills up to half of its users.

·         Tobacco kills around 6 million people each year.

·         More than 5 million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while more than 600,000 are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.

·         Nearly 80% of the world's 1 billion smokers live in low- and middle-income countries.

Theme of 2016

“Get ready for plain (standardized) packaging of tobacco products”

The Biggest Public Health Threat

WHO, says that tobacco is an epidemic which is the leading cause of illness, poverty and death.

Studies invariably prove that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke as it contains more than 4000 chemicals, of which at least 250 are known to be harmful and more than 50 are known to cause cancer. 

In adults, it causes severe cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and lung cancer and in infants sudden death where as in pregnant women, second hand smoke leads to low birth weight. WHO, reported that almost half of the children regularly breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke in public.

Not Scold but Handhold

If we look at the statistics, it can be inferred that majority of tobacco users are not aware about the risks associated and the ways to quit.  For instance, smoking is emerging as one of the major reasons behind vision loss. However, only 10-20% people are aware of the same. 

At the same time, most of the smokers want to quit. Experiences reveal that counseling and medication can more than double the chances of success for a smoker who is trying to quit.

No to Tobacco Always

There is hardly a day when our attention is not being caught on the menace of drug trafficking. 

As per the GATS India report, Kerala is having an overall 21.4% of tobacco users, out of which 13.4% are smokers. The current level of exposure to second hand smoke of adults is 41.8%.

Recently, in the wake of the Assembly Election 2016, oncologists and public health experts in Kerala jointly called for all the political parties to include tobacco control as a public health measure in election manifestos. They cautioned that tobacco is the villain behind 40% of cancers in Kerala.

Though the tobacco tax revenue of Kerala is Rs. 315 crore, the actual costs are around Rs. 1,514 crore a year, according to reports. It is also reported that ban of liquor has created a high demand for drugs and also subsequent increase in the availability and the use of stronger and more dangerous drugs.  It is the high time politicians and social activists deliberate on these matters.

It is a heartening move on the part of the government to make 85% pictorial health warnings mandatory on both sides of tobacco products from April 1, 2016. Graphic warnings persuade people to quit.

The experiences of hard-hitting anti-tobacco advertisements and graphic pack warnings which include pictures show that it has prevented children from taking to smoking and has made a large number of smokers to quit. 

When you see the smile of your charming kid and their vibrancy, remember to teach them the ill effects of tobacco. It may begin as a try for leisure, which can lead your child to eternal gloom.

Ensure that your child has taken the no tobacco pledge too. Let us be vigilant that none of us and our family members are in the evil clutch of tobacco.

Published in the Dentcare Magazine, The Dentcare, May Edition (English)