Tobacco consumption is the major cause of preventable death
and illness. It kills half of its users prematurely, especially in their
reproductive age. It is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases,
including cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, lung diseases,
stroke, infertility, blindness, tuberculosis (TB), oral cavities etc. The
exposure to second-hand smoke or passive smoking causes numerous health
problems in infants, children and adults. Spitting of tobacco products leads to
spread of swine flu, pneumonia, gastro intestinal diseases, posing a potential
risk of transmission of TB as well as nuisance to the public.
There are two forms of tobacco – “Smoking Tobacco”, such as
cigarettes, bidi, Ganja, hooka, cigars etc. and “Smokeless Tobacco” such as
khaini, jarda, gutkha etc. New and emerging electronic products (e-cigarettes
and like products) have created new challenges. Electronic nicotine delivery
systems (ENDS) and electronic non-nicotine delivery system (ENNDS), commonly
known as e-Cigarettes, do not contain tobacco and may or may not contain
nicotine, but are harmful for health. The combustion of tobacco releases
carcinogen, like benzene and formaldehyde, which damages lung cells and DNA,
leading to cancer.
According to the report of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey
India (2016-17), about 33.2 crore population of adults (28 % of all adults)
above 15 years age group use tobacco in Bharat, out of which 10 crore are
smokers, 20 crore are smokeless tobacco users and 3.2 crore are of both users.
As per the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (2009), 14.6 % of students aged 13 to 15
use tobacco. In Bharat, more than 13 lakh people lose their life every year due
to tobacco consumption. It leads to social and economic costs too.
Globally, 62 countries have adopted comprehensive smoke-free
policies. Bharat Sarkar has enacted Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products
(Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production,
Supply & Distribution) Act 2003 (or COTPA 2003) in 2004 for effective
reduction of tobacco consumption. Various Rules and Guidelines have been issued
from time to time to restrict the tobacco use. Smoking in public places, Sale
of tobacco products to and by the minors, Sale of tobacco products within 100
yards of educational institutions, Advertising and promotion of such products
etc. are prohibited. Statutory warnings have been placed on tobacco packets. It
has been made mandatory to display such warnings in Films and TV.
Smokeless tobacco products are banned through the Food
Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations 2011
under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. In 2007-08, National Tobacco Control
Programme (NTCP) has been launched which focuses on community mobilisation,
School programmes, IEC and advocacy besides implementation of control laws.
People’s Representatives Institutions (PRI) have pivotal role and
responsibilities in implementing the laws, rules and regulation to control the
tobacco consumption.
Children and adolescents are the future of any nation.
Hence, it must be mandatory to make our educational institutions tobacco free.
As per report of GYTS and GATS, there is significant tobacco use among
adolescents and youngsters. Hence a guideline has been released in 2008for “Tobacco-free Educational Institutions”,
with the objectives of – (a) Awareness about the harmful impacts on health due to
tobacco use among students, teachers and other institutional functionaries, (b)
healthy and tobacco-free environment in the institution, (c ) better
implementation of legal provision regarding tobacco use.
The institution should display “Tobacco-Free Educational
Institution” signage in the form of signboards or wall writings at prominent
places inside and outside the premises. The institution should designate one or
more Tobacco Monitors from among teachers, staff and/or students from Class IX
onwards. The monitor must not be a tobacco user. The institution should ensure
that no Tobacco product is sold inside the premises and within a radius of 100
yards. Fine should be imposed on tobacco user if found. The institutional
authority should help tobacco users to quit tobacco by encouraging them to
avail Quitline services and mCessation.
Tobacco monitor should remain vigilant about the tobacco
substitutes such as e-Cigarettes and the like devices such as Heat-Not-Burn
Devices, Vapes, e-Sheesha, e-Nicotine Flavoured Hookah.
The institution should organise various tobacco control
activities such as Assembly for taking pledge against tobacco, organising
co-curricular activities such as Poster/Slogan/Essay/Quiz/Debate competitions
and street plays etc. Certificate of appreciation /awards should be provided to
those students/teachers/staffs who perform good work in this field. The local
law enforcement authorities/health authorities should be invited from time to
time to deliver lectures on tobacco control in the school assembly.
Although several laws, rules and other prohibitory measures
are prevalent in the country to save the lives of people from Tobacco
consumption, but these acts and rules are just lip services. If Government is
really sensitive towards a healthy and Nasha-Mukt Bharat, then the production
of all intoxicating products including tobacco should be completely banned and
its factories should be sealed; otherwise, the numerous fashionable control
programmes and initiatives will be a misuse of public money and human
resources.
