Smoking Hazards- Initiatives taken by Indian Government to curb smoking

Smoking Hazards- Initiatives taken by Indian Government to curb smoking

Question:-According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India is home to 12% of the world’s smokers. Approximately 900,000 people die every year in India due to smoking What are causes that pose a risk to the health of people who smoke. What are the measures India is taking on discouraging smoking?

- Smoking has for a very long time been hazardous to health. Yet, despite the number of advertisements enlightening about its adverse effects, still continues to remain habit among most people especially college students.

- The habit is born out of stress, illiteracy, style, peer pressure etc.

- Taking in the smoke damages lungs causing respiratory illness and diseases. Clinical studies have shown that persistent smoking increases chances of lung cancer.

- The presence of nicotine in the smoke tightens blood vessels obstructing blood flow, thus damaging cardiovascular system. It also increases the risk of a heart attack and coronary heart disease.

- Smoking has an effect on the appetite by suppressing it thereby leaving the body of essential nutrients.

- Smokers are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than nonsmokers.

- Tar along with other chemicals deposited in the lungs can cause an impact on the blood vessels.

Measures taken by India to discourage smoking:

- India, being a signatory to UN framework Convention on Tobacco Control that prohibits sale of cigarettes through suitable regulations, will have to execute the anti-tobacco convention.

- The Cable Television Network Amendment Bill has enforced prohibition on cigarette and alcohol advertisements since 8 September 2000. “Sponge” and “Mukesh” were anti tobacco advertisements started by the government which came in effect from 2 October 2012. These were replaced by new advertisements, titled “Child” and “Dhuan”, from 2 October 2013.

- Taxation on tobacco products has soared sharply. Excise duty on cigarettes, cigars, cheroots and cigarillos has increased in the range of 11% to 72%.

- Smoking in public places was prohibited nationwide from 2 October 2008 under the Prohibition of Smoking in Public places Rules. Violation of this law will be fined with Rs 200.

- Smoking scenes in movies have to carry a preceding warning and pictorial warnings on packets is mandatory. The latter was notified on 3 May 2009 which came in effect from 31 May 2009. A ban on smoking from October 2, 2005 prohibited actors or actresses from smoking on screen.

- Although various measures have been taken by the government in order to curb the use of tobacco and generate awareness, it has met with very little success.

Facts:

- Nicotine is a substance that stimulates the brain.

- Each day, more than 3,200 people under 18 smoke their first cigarette, and approximately 2,100 youth and young adults become daily smokers.

- Chandigarh became the first smoke free city in India in 2007.