India is currently in 2nd stage of tobacco epidemic: AIIMS
India ranks as the second-largest consumer and producer of tobacco globally, following China. The country is currently in the second stage of the tobacco epidemic, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, said.
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, the AIIMS stated that has said that it is never too late to quit smoking
AIIMS said that the tobacco epidemic poses one of the most significant public health threats the world has ever seen, claiming the lives of nearly 6 million people each year.
Tobacco is currently the leading cause of preventable death and disease worldwide. The tobacco epidemic poses one of the most significant public health threats the world has ever seen, claiming the lives of nearly 6 million people each year.
Also Read:
| - Cancer patients who continue smoking are at twice the risk of cardiovascular diseases than non smokers: Study |
Annually, almost 13 lakh (1.3 million) people in India die from diseases caused by tobacco use. Shockingly, around 2000 deaths occur every day in our country due to tobacco consumption.
The number of deaths caused by tobacco surpasses those caused by malaria, tuberculosis (TB), and HIV/AIDS combined. The overall prevalence of tobacco use among adults stands at 28.6% (266.8 million), with a higher prevalence among males (42.4%) than females (14.2%). Khaini (11%) and bidi (8%) are the most commonly used tobacco products.
The AIIMS statement read that despite tobacco being a source of livelihood for over 6 million farmers and 20 million industry workers in India, contributing more than 70 billion rupees to government earnings, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) highlights that the healthcare costs associated with tobacco use outweigh the economic benefits.
In 2000, the council estimated that the annual cost of diseases related to tobacco amounted to 270 billion rupees. Therefore, the income generated from tobacco represents only 25.9% of the healthcare expenditure it necessitates.
Dr Amrinder Mallhi, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiodiagnosis and Interventional Radiology, AIIMS, said that tobacco use is the primary cause of preventable death and disease in India.
He added that the country has one of the highest tobacco-related mortality rates globally, with approximately 13 lakh (1.3 million) deaths each year. India has earned the unfortunate title of being the Oral Cancer Capital of the World.
He added that around half of all smokers die from tobacco-related diseases. Moreover, half of those who die from tobacco-related illnesses pass away during their productive middle age, resulting in a significant impact on their still-dependent families.
He informed that tobacco use is associated with various diseases, including cancers (50% in men and 25% in women), cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and tuberculosis (TB).
TB is three times more common in smokers compared to non-smokers, and mortality rates among smokers are three to four times higher.
Dr Mallhi pointed out that quitting tobacco or supporting others in their journey to quit is a significant service to our nation. Today on World No Tobacco Day, let’s take a pledge to quit tobacco use and have a better lifestyle and be free from the deadly diseases caused by its use.
“So at last I want to convey to our brothers and sisters of the country that - Quitting tobacco or helping people to quit tobacco and its products is a great nation's service,” he added.
