Blog dedicado a compilar las estrategias de la industria tabacalera, así como las leyes y las campañas a nivel mundial para el control del tabaco.
jueves, 31 de mayo de 2012
Día Mundial sin Tabaco 2012
Hoy se celebra internacionalmente el DÍA MUNDIAL SIN TABACO, cuyo tema central es la interferencia de la industria tabacalera. Este es el vídeo preparado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud en el marco de esta importante conmemoración.
El Espectador. Bogotá Colombia, 31 de mayo de 2012
Este jueves es el Día Sin Tabaco
Guerra sin cuartel a las tabacaleras
Por: Redacción Vivir
La OMS denunció que la industria está utilizando 'sucias artimañas' para atraer consumidores.
El organismo internacional se declaró en “una guerra sin cuartel” contra la industria del tabaco. Douglas Bettcher, director de la Iniciativa 'Libre de Tabaco' de la organización, acusó a las compañías de este sector de utilizar la “intimidación” y “sucias artimañas” para debilitar las políticas públicas que buscan atacar este hábito. Y los señalamientos fueron más allá: Bettcher aseguró que las tabacaleras están usando métodos para “atrapar” a consumidores cada vez más jóvenes.
Las declaraciones se dieron hoy en una rueda de prensa en la antesala del Día Sin Tabaco, que se celebra mañana jueves. La ocasión sirvió también para hacer una radiografía de esta problemática en el mundo: 20% de la población del planeta fuma, entre los hombres la prevalencia es del 38% y entre las mujeres del 10%, los males relacionados al tabaco provocaron la muerte de 100 millones de personas y se estima que en el siglo XXI podría haber hasta 1.000 millones de víctimas mortales.
Los daños también son para quienes inhalan el humo que otros producen: 300.000 personas en el mundo mueren cada año por causas relacionadas a su exposición al cigarrillo; de estos, 120.000 son menores de cinco años, principalmente provenientes de África.
“La industria está desesperada porque cada vez tiene menos opciones de encontrar espacios para publicitar sus productos”, dijo Bettcher, haciendo referencia a las iniciativas que están liderando países como Australia, donde a partir de octubre empezará a regir una nueva norma que le prohibirá a las tabacaleras utilizar colores o diseños atractivos en sus logotipos y además se implementará un patrón único para todas las marcas. Nueva Zelanda y el Reino Unido han declarado públicamente que en un plazo de dos años podrían adoptar la misma medida.
En Colombia, uno de cada cuatro jóvenes entre los 11 y los 18 años asegura haber consumido cigarrillos alguna vez en su vida, según el segundo Estudio Nacional de Consumo de Sustancias psicoactivas en población escolar. El Atlas del Tabaco, que realiza la Asociación Americana del Cáncer y la Fundación Mundial del Pulmón, señala que en el país los hombres adolescentes (entre 13 y 15 años) son los más fumadores del continente americano; las adolescentes se llevaron el puesto número cinco a nivel mundial.
Tomado de:
El Colombiano. Medellín Colombia, 31 de mayo de 2012
OMS: el palo en la rueda de las tabacaleras
Hoy se celebra el Día Mundial sin Tabaco, una oportunidad para revisar las estrategias de prevención.
POR LAURA VICTORIA BOTERO Y JUAN DAVID MONTOYA | Publicado el 31 de mayo de 2012
Continúa la batalla frontal impulsada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) contra las empresas tabacaleras. El organismo de las Naciones Unidas dirige hoy la atención mundial hacia la "interferencia de la industria del tabaco" en la formulación de políticas públicas de salud.
"La campaña se centrará en la necesidad de denunciar y contrarrestar los intentos descarados y cada vez más agresivos de la industria tabacalera para socavar el Convenio Marco para el Control del Tabaco de la Organización Mundial de la Salud", señala la OMS.
Desde el momento mismo de la firma de este convenio en el año 2003, el sector tabacalero enfiló baterías para torpedear y dilatar su aplicación. Los últimos episodios en este tire y afloje han llevado al campo legal una confrontación en la que está en jugo la vida de millones de personas.
En primer lugar está el caso uruguayo. Desde que el gobierno del oncólogo Tabaré Vásquez decidió ser el país pionero en Latinoamérica en imponer restricciones a la venta y comercialización de cigarrillos, el Palacio Estévez ha tenido que sortear una demanda por 2.000 millones de dólares que entabló Phillip Morris.
La empresa productora de los mundialmente populares Marlboro demandó también a Australia y Noruega, este último por impedir que los establecimientos comerciales oferten sus productos a la vista de los clientes.
La respuesta de la OMS ha sido crear un frente común internacional contra el tabaquismo que respalde a los países involucrados en el avance del convenio. Con la campaña del día de hoy, sin embargo, parece que la guerra contra las tabacaleras subió de tono.
Desde Ginebra, el director de la Iniciativa Libre de Tabaco, Douglas Bettcher , dijo que la industria del tabaco es una "paria" y que está "desesperada". "Todos tenemos que aliarnos en esta batalla contra la interferencia de la industria tabacalera y la OMS rechaza terminantemente sus intentos de intimidación y sus sucias artimañas", comentó el funcionario de la OMS.
A favor de la salud pública
A pesar de las "interferencias", todo parece indicar que las restricciones al tabaco, antes que retroceder, aumentarán. Los firmantes del Convenio Marco se comprometían a aplicar un mínimo de sus disposiciones, y profundizarlas con el tiempo.
Por otra parte, no solo las Naciones Unidas a través de la OMS está mostrándole los dientes a las empresas productoras de cigarrillos. En carta dirigida al presidente de Philip Morris, ministros de salud, líderes sociales y trabajadores del sector salud exigieron que la multinacional detenga los litigios contra los países que formulan legislación antitabaco.
En Colombia, la implementación de la ley 1335 de 2009 ha traído duras restricciones al consumo. Blanca Llorente Carreño, coordinadora del Proyecto de Fortalecimiento de la Ley de Control de Tabaco en Colombia, considera que si bien esta legislación representa un avance importante, aún el país tiene mucho por hacer en cuanto a control de precios.
Junto a Paraguay, Colombia ofrece los cigarrillos más baratos en la región. De acuerdo a experiencias como la mexicana y la uruguaya, un costo más alto por paquete significa una menor prevalencia y mayor recaudo en impuestos.
"En Colombia, en un escenario muy conservador -adelanta Llorente en caso de duplicar el impuesto básico- , podríamos hablar de una reducción del consumo en el mediano plazo del 15 por ciento".
Apoyado por la Liga Contra el Cáncer, el proyecto liderado por Blanca Llorente ha recogido 23.000 firmas a favor del incremento de los gravámenes.
Otra fórmula lanza Jaime Londoño, experto en prevención de Medicáncer. Si bien considera importante hacer un pronunciamiento que rechace las presiones indebidas de grupos económicos, considera "que estas campañas deberían estar más enfocadas en la parte del compromiso con la promoción y la prevención".
En el país urge hacerlo. De acuerdo con Londoño, el promedio de iniciación en el cigarrillo de los jóvenes colombianos es de 10 a 12 años. Además, los costos en vidas y para el sensible sistema de salud son incalculables. "El cigarrillo es uno de los principales factores de riesgo modificables asociados a unas patologías muy severas", recuerda. La primera y tercera causa de muerte, los riesgos cardiovasculares y el cáncer, están estrechamente ligadas al consumo de cigarrillo.
Una ligera disminución en los índices de tabaquismo juvenil, considera Blanca Llorente, no puede incitar a que se baje la guardia. Al fin y al cabo, de los 340.000 escolares menores de edad que fuman habitualmente ninguno debería estar haciéndolo.
Tomado de:
Milenio.com Ciudad de México desde Pekín. 31 de mayo de 2012
Denuncian acciones de tabacalera china para evitar reducir fumadores
TENDENCIAS • 31 MAYO 2012 - 6:49AM — NOTIMEX
Los estudios gubernamentales señalan que, para 2050, al menos tres millones de personas podrían morir anualmente si no se toman medidas para combatir el tabaquismo.
Pekín • Las empresas estatales que controlan el negocio de la producción y venta de tabaco en China, el mayor fabricante y consumidor del mundo, sabotean las campañas antitabaco, denunció hoy la prensa de Hong Kong con motivo del Día Mundial Antitabaco.
“El monopolio estatal de la China National Tobacco Corp y sus reguladores utilizan ocho tácticas para sabotear los esfuerzos antifumadores”, aseguró el diario South China Morning Post, que cita un informe de las autoridades sanitarias chinas.
Estas van -indicó el rotativo- desde el rechazo a incluir imágenes en las advertencias sobre la salud en las cajetillas, hasta socavar el intento por aumentar impuestos y precios.
Además, las tabacaleras también engañarían al público, asegurando que los cigarrillos son menos dañinos de lo que se cree, y que el hecho de que el tabaco esté mezclado con hierbas chinas los hace menos perjudiciales para la salud, según el diario.
La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) saludó este jueves la publicación de un informe por parte del ministerio de Sanidad chino que, por primera vez, disecciona los daños para la salud a causa del consumo de tabaco.
El bajo precio de las cajetillas, algunas por debajo de los 5 yuanes (0.8 dólares), la publicidad y el aumento del poder adquisitivo en China han disparado el consumo de tabaco los últimos años en el país, donde se estima que más de 300 millones de personas fuman y otros 740 millones son potenciales fumadores pasivos.
Los estudios gubernamentales señalan que, para 2050, al menos tres millones de personas podrían morir anualmente si no se toman medidas para combatir el tabaquismo, por un millón de muertos anuales en la actualidad a causa del tabaco.
Además, tres cuartas partes de los chinos desconocerían los daños reales que provoca consumir tabaco, según el informe del ministerio de Sanidad en China.
Tomado de:
Diario Vasco.com, 31 de mayo de 2012
DÍA MUNDIAL SIN TABACO
Cuatro de cada diez fumadores que intentan dejar el tabaco lo consiguen
El 90% de los centros de salud ofrece terapias de deshabituación. Cerca de 700 profesionales de la salud han recibido formación específica dentro del programa 'Euskadi libre de humo de tabaco'
31.05.12 - 02:33 - NEREA AZURMENDI | SAN SEBASTIÁN.
Los fumadores se enfrentan hoy a una jornada complicada. Con motivo del Día Mundial sin Tabaco, les lloverán estadísticas acerca del número de muertos que causa el tabaquismo -unos 2.600 al año en Euskadi-; alertas sobre los riesgos que corren -cáncer de pulmón, enfermedad cardiovascular y EPOC, por citar los básicos- y no es fácil que se libren de comentarios de dudoso gusto y de miradas de conmiseración.
A lo largo de una jornada que la OMS dedica este año a denunciar las interferencias de la industria del tabaco en las medidas de prevención y control del tabaquismo, tal vez algún fumador se pregunte si ha llegado el momento de dejar de serlo. 'Elige tu momento. Pregunta en tu centro de salud', se lee en los folletos con los que Osakidetza anima a vivir sin tabaco a quienes dependen de él.
Si se animan a hacerlo, lo tienen relativamente fácil, porque dentro del programa 'Euskadi libre de humo de tabaco', que Osakidetza presentó hace un año, el 90% de los centros de salud vasco ofrecen ya terapia de deshabituación. Les conviene saber, eso sí, que el éxito es de los que perseveran, porque de media hacen falta tres intentos para dejar el tabaco y, aun así, solo lo consiguen cuatro de cada diez. Los seis restantes tienen que seguir intentándolo.
«Una estrategia sólida»
En el marco de ese programa, que hace efectiva la consideración del tabaquismo como un problema de salud y lo trata como tal, cerca de 700 profesionales de la salud han recibido en los últimos meses formación específica para ayudar a quienes se enfrentan a la tarea de superar la dependencia del tabaco. El objetivo es que, progresivamente, todo el personal médico y de enfermería, tanto en la atención primaria como en la hospitalaria, estén preparados para actuar como agentes de primera línea en la lucha contra el tabaco, una guerra colectiva que, sin embargo, siempre se libra en el terreno individual.
No es, ni mucho menos, el primer intento por hacer frente desde la salud pública a una de las pandemias más daniñas y evitables que se conocen. Arantxa Mendiguren, médico de familia, miembro de Osatzen y de la Sociedad Española de Medicina de Familia y, en la actualidad, directora médica de la OSI del Bajo Deba, que comprende el Hospital de Mendaro y las unidades de atención primaria de la comarca, sabe mucho de intentos anteriores «que dependían un poco de la importancia que le quería dar cada uno al tema».
Ella le ha dado mucha, «porque creo que ocuparme del tabaco forma parte de mi trabajo, como ocuparme de la diabetes o la hipertensión», y aplaude el cambio de actitud de los responsables de la sanidad pública, que han diseñado «una estrategia sólida que se va implementando poco a poco y nos ha marcado a todos un mismo camino, estableciendo unos mínimos y unos máximos y, lo que es muy importante, proporcionando de manera paralela un programa de formación muy potente».
Aunque el programa solo tiene un año y se va extendiendo de manera paulatina, se puede afirmar que ya ha llegado con mayor o menor intensidad a la inmensa mayoría de los centros de salud de Euskadi. En algunos, son apenas dos o tres profesionales «los referentes para quienes deseen deshabituarse». En otros, la práctica totalidad del personal está capacitada para hacerlo, y además de terapias individuales se ofrecen grupales.
Teniendo en cuenta que, según una reciente encuesta realizada en atención primaria, el 98% de quienes desean dejar de fumar preferirían seguir su programa de deshabituación en su centro de salud, de la mano de su médico y su enfermera, ese parece el ámbito más idóneo para ofrecer el servicio, incorporándolo al mecanismo más habitual de relación entre el médico y el paciente: la consulta. Tras una primera evaluación -«como esa consulta es más larga, les doy dos citas», desvela Arantxa Mendiguren-, el facultativo decide cuál es la terapia más adecuada para cada candidato a ex fumador. «No todo el mundo necesita fármacos, a muchos les basta con ayuda psicológica, pero todas las evidencias demuestran que la terapia más eficaz es la combinada, aunque todavía lo es más la grupal», apunta.
«Un antes y un después»
Todavía es pronto para cuantificar los resultados de un programa que está dando sus primeros pasos, pero parece evidente que, como sucede en otros ámbitos, la mejora de la oferta ha incentivado el aumento de la demanda. El número de fumadores que lo quieren intentar no deja de crecer. Hay, no obstante, un elemento externo que ha tenido una clara influencia en el cambio de actitud de los fumadores: la Ley Antitabaco. Arantxa Mendiguren cree que ha supuesto «un antes y un después. Todos hemos notado en la consulta un aumento de la demanda. De hecho, el 14,2% de los encuestados han intentado dejar de fumar en lo que llevamos de año, e incluso entre los que siguen fumando más del 80% vería mal derogar una ley que ha supuesto un cambio enorme».
Hecha la ley, hecha la trampa, los incumplimientos de la misma han sido bastante controlados tanto por ciudadanos individuales como por asociaciones de consumidores como Facua o por las policías municipales. Desde que entró en vigor la norma, en Euskadi se han interpuesto 314 denuncias, la inmensa mayoría de las mismas a establecimientos de hostelería.
Teniendo en cuenta que el 28% de la población vasca se considera fumadora habitual, a pesar de los avances que se están produciendo todavía hay mucho campo por trabajar. La predisposición, por lo menos, parece buena, ya que el 49% de los fumadores están dispuestos a dejar de serlo. Si se encuentra entre ellos, no es necesario recurrir a soluciones milagrosas. Simplemente, consulte a su médico.
LOS DATOS
314
denuncias se han interpuesto en Euskadi desde que entró en vigor la Ley Antitabaco, 59 de ellas en Gipuzkoa. La hostelería, con 254 denuncias, es el sector más denunciado.
14,2%
de los fumadores vascos han intentado dejar de fumar en lo que llevamos de año.
Tomado de:
20 minutos.es. Madrid España, 31 de mayo de 2012
Se cumple un año y medio de la Ley Antitabaco en España
Ocho de cada diez españoles están en contra de dar marcha atrás a la Ley Antitabaco y que se fume en bares.
Este jueves se celebra el Día Mundial Sin Tabaco.
Hace año y medio que el humo del tabaco desapareció de los bares y restaurantes de toda España. La entrada en vigor de la actual Ley Antitabaco, que prohíbe fumar en todos los espacios públicos cerrados, provocó duros enfrentamientos entre fumadores, no fumadores y hosteleros. De hecho, los empresarios llegaron a advertir de que la ley supondría la pérdida de 200.000 puestos de trabajo
Una polémica que permanece viva en algunos sectores políticos y empresariales, pero que la población parece haber superado. Casi ocho de cada diez españoles (78%) verían mal que se permitiese de nuevo fumar en bares y restaurantes y el 82% creen "acertada" la decisión de prohibir el tabaco en lugares públicos cerrados, según una encuesta realizada por la Sociedad Española de Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria en la que se sondeó a 4.000 ciudadanos.
La ley es lógica, por los no fumadores y por los niños
Así opina José Luis Ponce, un camarero de Madrid que lleva 19 años en el gremio. "La gente ya se ha acostumbrado y sale cada vez que quiere echar un cigarro. Han dejado de venir por la situación económica, no porque no puedan fumar", explicó a 20 minutos mientras colocaba las mesas del restaurante donde trabaja. Solo critica que el Gobierno de Zapatero no implantara la ley antes de que empezara la crisis.
La nueva normativa también ha beneficiado a las parejas que no podían ir con sus hijos a bares y restaurantes por culpa del humo. Este es el caso de Cristina y Arturo. Ella es fumadora de toda la vida y él lo dejó hace 25 años. "La ley es lógica, por los no fumadores y por los niños", argumenta Cristina. Para Javier y Amaya –exfumadores desde hace cuatro años– la nueva normativa llevará a mucha gente a dejar de fumar. "Llegará un momento en el que se cansarán de estar todo el tiempo fuera del bar", dicen.
Contra la tabacaleras
Hoy se celebra el Día Mundial Sin Tabaco. Este año la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), bajo el lema "La Interferencia de la Industria del Tabaco", tratará de denunciar las artimañas que utilizan las tabacaleras para debilitar las políticas antihumo en el mundo. El director de la campaña, Douglas Bettcher, las acusó de intentar "atrapar" a grupos cada vez más jóvenes y aumentar el número de mujeres fumadoras en América Latina, Europa y algunas zonas de Asia.
Según la OMS, el consumo de tabaco en el mundo permanece estable, con un 20% de la población mundial que fuma (1.100 millones de personas), aunque entre los hombres la prevalencia es del 38% y del 10% entre las mujeres. Se estima que 300.000 personas en el mundo mueren anualmente por causas relacionadas a su exposición al humo del tabaco y que, de esta cifra, 120.000 son niños menores de cinco años, la mayor parte de ellos en África. En España se registran un total 56.000 muertes al año.
La CE te ayuda a dejar el tabaco
La plataforma virtual iCoach (www.exsmokers.eu), que la Comisión Europea (CE) puso en marcha en 2011, continúa sumando exfumadores a sus filas. Ya hay 168.000 apuntados. Ahora, el portal va a lanzar consejos prácticos para que los fumadores dejen de sentir ansiedad en los viajes en avión y que este paso sea el detonante para abandonar definitivamente el vicio.
Una lucha de cuatro décadas
Años 40, 50 y 60.
El tabaco se asociaba con el glamour y la seducción.
Años 70.
Primeras alertas de que fumar es malo y adictivo.
Años 80.
Comienza el veto al pitillo. España estrena su primera Ley Antitabaco en 1988. Se veta el pitillo en escuelas, hospitales y se limita su consumo en el transporte público, cines, teatros... También se prohíbe su venta a menores de 16 años y se restringe su publicidad.
Años 90.
En 1992 se prohíbe fumar en los vuelos de menos de 90 minutos. En 1999 se veta totalmente en los aviones y se limita más su consumo en los transportes. Ya no se puede fumar en autocares, pero sí en los vagones de fumadores de tren y en la cubierta de los barcos.
A partir del 2000.
El gran salto. En 2006 se prohíbe fumar en el puesto de trabajo. Los bares tuvieron que optar por permitir el tabaco o no. También se acabó con las pocas excepciones en los transportes. En 2011 se acaba con las excepciones y no se puede fumar en ningún espacio público cerrado.
Tomado de:
Noticiero CM& Colombia. Información internacional desde Japón, 30 de mayo de 2012
Japón lucha por 'derrotar' al tabaco en el trabajo y mejorar la productividad
El Gobierno japonés comenzó hoy una nueva iniciativa para acabar con el tabaco en el trabajo mediante la reducción de las salas para fumar en los ministerios, en su objetivo por acabar con los fumadores pasivos y mejorar la productividad.
La iniciativa, que coincide con el Día Mundial sin Tabaco, comenzó hoy en el Ministerio de Salud, Trabajo y Bienestar de Tokio en el que se cerró la penúltima de las únicas dos salas de fumadores habilitadas en el edificio, informó la agencia local de noticias Kyodo.
Desde 2006, el Ministerio nipón, que contaba en esa fecha con numerosas salas de fumadores, inició una particular lucha contra el uso del tabaco en todos los ministerios, aunque por el momento carecen de una ley que prohíba fumar en estos edificios.
Otros Ministerios en Japón como el de Defensa, con unos 10.000 empleados y cerca de 240.000 metros cuadrados, cuenta con 101 áreas de fumadores, mientras que el de Educación tiene 21, el de Finanzas 19 y el de Asuntos Exteriores cinco.
Por su parte, el de Economía, que contaba con 20 salas habilitadas para fumadores, decidió cerrarlas todas como una forma para abaratar la tarifa de electricidad y optimizar el espacio.
El Día Mundial sin Tabaco, instaurado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) en todo el mundo el 31 de mayo, prevé acabar con el consumo de tabaco en el mundo, que actualmente se sitúa en el 20 por ciento de la población mundial.
Además, la farmacéutica Pfizer publicó hoy una encuesta realizada en Japón, país en el que se puede fumar en bares y restaurantes pero no en muchas calles, entre 9.400 personas en la que detalla que el 80 % de los participantes aseguró trabajar lejos del humo de los cigarros.
En cuanto a los fumadores en el trabajo, el 32 % aseguró que en su lugar de trabajo solo se fuma en los descansos o en los horarios de las comidas.
Para el presidente de la Asociación nipona de Control de Tabaco, Manabu Sakura, los fumadores tienen que salir a la calle o ir a una sala especial para fumar mientras trabajan, lo que supone "un problema para las empresas desde el punto de vista de productividad", afirmó en la televisión local NHK.
EFE
Tomado de:
MB.com.ph. Manila Filipinas, 31 de mayo de 2012
Editorial
World No-Tobacco Day Thursday
May 30, 2012, 6:08pm
MANILA, Philippines — World No-Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed on May 31 to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption around the world. The day, with ashtrays and fresh flowers as its common symbol, was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and its dangerous effects. This year’s theme is “Tobacco Industry Interference,” focusing on the need to counter the tobacco industry’s increasingly aggressive efforts to undermine the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
According to the WHO, tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of mortality. The global tobacco smoking will cause the life of nearly six million (6,000,000) people each year, of which more than 600,000 are people exposed to second-hand smoke. Unless we act quickly, it will cause the lives of up to eight million people by 2030, of which more than 80% smokers live in low- and middle-income countries.
WHO urges countries to put the fight against tobacco interference at the heart of their efforts to control the global tobacco epidemic. It encourages groups around the world – from local clubs to city councils and national governments – to organize events each year to help communities observe World No-Tobacco Day in their own meaningful way.
In the Philippines, where surveys showed 28% of Filipinos aged 15 years and above, or 17.3 million people, are smokers, the Metro Manila-wide smoking ban has been implemented in bus terminals, waiting sheds, schools, hospitals, recreational places, and inside public utility vehicles as part of a joint campaign of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority headed by Chairman Atty. Francis N. Tolentino and Local Government Units partnership in the enforcement of an intensified no-smoking policy that coincides with the observance of the World No-Tobacco Day 2011.
In observing the World No-Tobacco Day 2012, let us show our right to health and healthy living and protect our future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental, and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. Quit Smoking and Live Longer. MABUHAY!
Tomado de:
Digital Journal, Toronto Canadá, 31 de mayo de 2012
Want to quit smoking? Start your journey on World No Tobacco Day
Canada NewsWire
TORONTO, May 31, 2012
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/733344#ixzz1wS9inLdP
The Ontario Lung Association Launches New Cessation Workbook -
Journey 2 Quit: A Workbook to Help You Quit Smoking
TORONTO, May 31, 2012 /CNW/ - Every journey begins with a decisive first step and Ontario smokers now have a new tool to help them on their road to quitting for good. In time for World No Tobacco Day (May 31), the Ontario Lung Association has released a new smoking cessation workbook - Journey 2 Quit. The interactive workbook aims to help smokers prepare for their quit attempt, learn how to make a plan for coping with triggers and withdrawal symptoms, as well as how to set and stick to a successful quit date.
"Smoking is an addiction that requires tremendous preparation and support to overcome," says George Habib, president and CEO of the Ontario Lung Association. "There's no doubt, quitting is an uphill challenge for most smokers, and the key is not to travel that difficult road alone. I want to remind smokers that they have a whole network of health professionals, including doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and pharmacists ready to support their efforts to quit."
Journey 2 Quit will officially launch at Central East Association for Smoking Elimination's (CEASE) symposium for healthcare professionals on May 31 in Oshawa. The symposium will focus on community lung health, featuring speakers: Dr. John Dickie, Chief of Surgery at Lakeridge Health Corporation and RS McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre; Dr. John Oyston, Founder of the "Stop Smoking for Safer Surgery" campaign and Consulting Anesthesiologist at The Scarborough Hospital; and Jane Ling, president of CEASE and Pharmacists for a Smoke Free Canada. The evening will be hosted by George Habib, president and CEO of the Ontario Lung Association.
"Durham Region is one of Canada's fastest growing communities," says CEASE President Jane Ling. "CEASE is committed to making Durham one of the healthiest by helping people to quit smoking and end the debilitating diseases associated with it."
Smoking in Ontario
There are currently more than two million Ontarians who continue to smoke, and more than half want to quit. Tobacco use remains a leading health concern in Ontario, one that is responsible for 13,000 preventable deaths each year. Smoking is also the number one cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is a major contributor to many forms of cancer, including lung cancer. Currently in Ontario more than 780,000 people are living with COPD, and 33,000 are living with lung cancer. The combined cost of these diseases to the provincial economy is estimated at more than $4 billion.1
"There are many effective approaches to help someone quit smoking, but not all of them will work for everyone," says Dr. Peter Selby, Clinical Director, Addictions Program and Head of the Nicotine Dependence Clinic at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). "We need to work towards ensuring that all tools and supports are readily available to every Ontarian who wants to quit smoking."
The Ontario Lung Association with more than 40 stakeholders, including CEASE and CAMH, has formed a Lung Health Alliance to call upon the Government of Ontario to commit to the creation and implementation of a Lung Health Action Plan. Such a plan would address the growing burden of all lung disease in Ontario by making existing resources more widely available, and ensuring all Ontarians have access to the programs, supports and medications they need to prevent and better manage lung disease.
About the Ontario Lung Association
The Lung Association is a registered charity that provides information, education and funding for research to improve lung health. The organization focuses on the prevention and control of asthma, chronic lung disease, tobacco control as well as healthy air and the effects of pollution on lung health. For information on lung health, call 1-888-344-LUNG (5864), which is staffed by certified respiratory educators, or visit www.on.lung.ca. You can also follow the Ontario Lung Association on Twitter @OntarioLung and Facebook.
Journey 2 Quit: A Workbook to Help You Quit Smoking is available for free and can be ordered through the Ontario Lung Association's Lung Health Information Line 1-888-344-LUNG (5864). The toll-free telephone line is staffed by certified respiratory educators who can also offer extra support and advice to help anyone who is making a quit attempt. The Journey 2 Quit workbook can also be downloaded at www.on.lung.ca/journey
About CEASE
CEASE was originally called the Durham Regional Smoking Cessation Network (DRSCN). It was founded in October 2008 by a small group of collaborative Durham Region healthcare professionals, consisting of two local family physicians, a dentist, cardiologist, public health nurse, two pharmacists and two representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, all passionate about helping patients with smoking cessation.
In January 2010, it was decided to change the name to the Central East Association for Smoking Elimination (CEASE) to align with the Central East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) to expand its area, its membership and its initiatives. CEASE continues to grow and evolve. Today, CEASE has 100 members from many disciplines, focusing on the promotion of best practices, advocacy, professional development and the dissemination of information to assist patients to quit smoking.
1 "Your Lungs, Your Life: Insights and Solutions to Lung Health in Ontario" Produced by the Ontario Lung Association, based on data from: Smetanin, P., Stiff, D., Briante, C, Ahmad, S., Ler, Al, Wong, L. Life and Economic Burden of Lung Disease in Ontario: 2011 to 2041. RiskAnalytica, on behalf of the Ontario Lung Association, 2011.
Image with caption: "The Ontario Lung Association Launches New Cessation Workbook - Journey 2 Quit: A Workbook to Help You Quit Smoking is available for free for individuals and can be ordered through the Ontario Lung Association's Lung Health Information Line 1-888-344-LUNG (5864). It can also be downloaded at www.on.lung.ca/journey. (CNW Group/Ontario Lung Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120531_C4422_PHOTO_EN_14419.jpg
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/733344#ixzz1wS9fW5lc
Tomado de:
The Korea Herald. Seúl, 31 de mayo de 2012
How to stay away from cigarettes
he health hazards of smoking are well known: Cigarettes are known to contribute to the prevalence of cancers of the mouth, head, lung, breast, bladder, stomach and other parts of the body. It is also linked to coronary heart disease and many other fatal disorders. It is suspected of causing infertility in women and raises the risk of fetal deformity during pregnancy.
The World Health Organization said it kills 5 million people worldwide a year, which is equivalent to one person dying every six seconds. The organization warned that the death toll could rise to more than 8 million by 2030 unless urgent actions are taken.
Still, people smoke.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, about 48.3 percent of men and 6.3 percent of women over 19 years old are smokers as of 2010. The rate is the highest among OECD member states, the ministry said.
“In one cigarette, there are more than 20 class-A carcinogens and 60 other cancer-causing ingredients. When one smokes for a long period of time the chances of getting cancer are 20 times higher than for non-smokers,” said Dr. Lee Jin-hwa of Ewha Womans University Medical Center.
he government is gearing up to encourage more people to cease puffing, too. Health authorities are providing free anti-smoking programs for smokers at public healthcare centers and established the hotline 1544-9030, which provides real-time counseling services for those willing to kick the habit.
More than 1,000 public spots as well as internet cafes and pool halls nationwide have been designated as smoke-free areas. The government also aims to disclose full information about toxins used in tobacco production and add graphic photos of the consequences of smoking on cigarette packaging.
“It is time people for quit smoking,” Lee stressed.
In order to mark World No Tobacco Day that fell on Thursday, Lee suggested a set of guidelines to take into consideration when planning to quit smoking:
Motivate yourself. Encourage yourself with benefits. For example, you can keep reminding yourself that not smoking will save you money and improve your health.
Pick a day and just start. Do not hesitate to throw out your cigarettes that very day.
Ask for help. Let everyone around you know that you have decided to stop smoking. Ask for their cooperation. This is great motivation, too.
Find out what others who have successfully quit smoking have done. Listen to their advice.
Take full advantage of the various anti-smoking programs around you.
Avoid going to drinking sessions or places where smoking is prevalent. Until you are fully confident that you can resist all temptation, don’t expose yourself.
The so-called withdrawal symptom hits its peak from the first to third week into the program. Therefore, don’t be overly anxious if a sudden, strong impulse to start smoking haunts you. It is natural. If you can overcome the urge during that period, it will become much easier during the remaining stages.
Use a nicotine patch or gum if you feel the urge to grab cigarettes once again. It is a long journey and using some assistance isn’t a bad idea.
Drink water often. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables that have abundant vitamins and fibers.
Release your stress with exercise. Watch your weight. Some replace their urge to smoke by indulging in snacking, but that is not a wise idea.
By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldm.com)
Tomado de:
Health India.com, Nueva Delhi, 31 de mayo de 20'12
World No Tobacco Day 2012: Heart attacks, cancer on the rise in young smokers
India.com Health, May 31, 2012 at 7:55 AM
May 31 is World No Tobacco Day.
Abhishek Shetty led the typical life of a young employee in an IT company. A regular smoker, the 32-year-old had a hectic schedule, odd sleeping hours and irregular meals – all of which caught up with him, and he suffered a heart attack at what his doctor called a “shockingly young age”.
“Five years back such cases were unheard of. But increasingly, we have young people coming to us with cardiac problems. It’s a serious problem and smoking is a major factor,” Ravindra L. Kulkarni, cardiologist and director of Just for Hearts, an organisation for heart care, told IANS.
“Abhishek’s is a case in point. A study of his case revealed that he led a very stressful life, thanks to the nature of his work. To add to that, he smoked regularly to relieve his stress. Ultimately he had a cardiac arrest,” Kulkarni added.
An angiography revealed a blockage in one of Shetty’s main arteries, for which an angioplasty had to be done. He has now changed his lifestyle completely.
Cardiac ailments have become an increasingly common feature among people as young as in their late 20s and early 30s, and smoking is found to be one of the main contributing factors.
“Health problems that you would have normally seen in people in their sixties – like those related to the heart or lungs – you see them in young people in the age group of 30-35 these days. It’s an unhealthy trend, to say the least,” said Suchetna Das, a cardiologist.
According to Kulkarni, in the past few years there has been a 30-40 percent rise in cardiac related ailments amongst those below the age of 40. Among his patients, 30-40 percent are heavy smokers.
A number of young patients are those in high-stress and sedentary lifestyle jobs, like in BPOs and the IT sector.
Studies reveal that peer pressure and curiosity are the two most common reasons for a person to take up smoking. Most smokers also claim their regular dose of puff is a stress relaxant.
“A number of young women also take up smoking to reduce weight. The idea is that nicotine affects the appetite… you don’t feel hungry, eat less and thus lose weight. Not only is it an unhealthy way to reduce weight, but also you hardly realise when the trick becomes an addiction,” Das said.
Doctors say that most ailments begin with high blood pressure (BP).
There has been a 20-25 percent rise among youngsters complaining of high blood pressure. So, if you are young and suddenly witness high BP, it may be wise to see your doctor, said Kulkarni.
Some of the common health problems that young people are being detected with are coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes and high blood pressure.
Not just that. Oncologists reveal that there has been a rise in cancer cases as well because of increased tobacco usage.
“Cancer, like throat cancer, among youngsters is on the rise. And exposure to tobacco in various forms is the main culprit behind this trend,” Amol Akhade, consultant oncologist at International Oncology Services, told IANS.
Sharing a smoke in hip hookah joints which are mushrooming in cities like Delhi, is another popular lifestyle trend that is simply adding to the problem, Akhade said.
“The trend of smoking hookah is adding to the risk (of cancer) and both men and women are equally at risk,” he added.
Besides strict implementation of the law that bans smoking in public places, doctors also suggest initiation of Workplace Health Promotion Programmes.
“Companies should take up the responsibility of making their employees aware of a healthy lifestyle and about the ill effects of smoking. Ultimately, a healthy, young workforce works for the best for the company,” Kulkarni said.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco usage kills at least five million people every year.
Tomado de:
Los Ángeles Times, Estados Unidos. 31 de mayo de 2012
World No Tobacco Day helps people consider quitting, research says
Today is the 25th anniversary of World No Tobacco Day, one of many days set aside to focus awareness on an issue or a cause. But this one is more than just a publicity ploy, researchers say.
Researchers from the Informatics Program at Children's Hospital Boston and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health monitored news promoting the stopping of smoking in seven Latin American countries. They also looked at Internet queries for cessation, and found they increased as much as 84% on that day, compared with other days.
Douglas Bettcher, director of the Tobacco Free Initiative of the World Health Organization, says that almost 6 million people die from tobacco each year. And a majority of those people live in low- and middle-income countries, says Joanna Cohen, who leads the Bloomberg School's Institute for Global Tobacco Control.
The study shows that the World No Tobacco Day promotes awareness and interest in quitting, Cohen says. In a statement, she called the day an “effective reminder and inspiration.”
Their findings appear in the May/June issue of Journal of Medical Internet Research.
But more than desire plays a role, according to research published this week in the American Journal of Psychiatry that shows genetics can play a role in whether someone can quit on their own or needs medication to help.
The study adds to the knowledge about genetic vulnerability to nicotine dependence, and can provide information useful to creating quitting programs, says Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse, which is part of the federal National Institutes of Health.
The researchers focused on specific variations in a cluster of nicotinic receptor genes, and found that people with the high-risk form of that cluster took two more years to quit on average than those with the low-risk genes. They found that medications for quitting increased the likelihood of quitting in the higher-risk group.
"We found that the effects of smoking cessation medications depend on a person's genes," Dr. Li-Shiun Chen of the Washington University School of Medicine said in a statement.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says smoking or exposure to others’ smoking leads to 440,000 preventable deaths a year. More than 46 million U.S. adults smoke, the agency says.
The video is a winner in the U.S. surgeon general's contest. Video provided by the Department of Health and Human Services
Tomado de:
Daily News Sur África desde Johanesburgo, 31 de mayo de 2012
World No Tobacco Day a good time to quit
May 31 2012 at 07:03am
By Daily News Reporter
Thursday marks World No Tobacco Day , and the Heart and Stroke Foundation and AfriForum have called on smokers to quit the dirty habit.
Julius Kleynhans, AfriForum’s Head of Environmental Affairs, said the day was an opportunity for people to stop smoking or to make environmentally responsible changes.
“Smoking is very bad for your health, as is indicated on the packaging of all tobacco products, and causes about 5.4 million deaths worldwide every year,” said Kleynhans.
Kleynhans said that what the packaging of tobacco products did not indicate was that smoking was also harmful to the environment.
“Cigarette butts that are thrown out of car windows, for example, pose a great risk to the environment, as they can cause veld fires,” he added.
AfriForum is concerned about the negative impact that tobacco products and their users, through their behaviour, have on the environment.
“Tobacco products pollute various natural resources such as rivers. Sewage plants are under severe pressure and cigarette butts add to this problem by causing blockages in sewage water systems,” said Kleynhans.
Awareness gap
The Heart and Stroke Foundation questioned why, “despite years of anti-tobacco lobbying… there remains an ‘awareness gap’ when it comes to the link between smoking and heart disease?”
The foundation noted that a new report showed that in most parts of the world, large proportions of the population did not know that second-hand smoke caused heart disease.
The damage done by second-hand smoke is a significant danger, killing more than 400 000 adults every year, with 87 percent of these deaths attributed to cardiovascular disease, the report found.
But Dr Vash Mungal-Singh, the chief executive of the foundation, called for a dual approach in this case: further legislation to severely restrict smoking in public places and continued awareness-raising campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke.
“We are delighted that the new regulations tackle this issue and commend our minister of health, Dr Motsoaledi, for his proactive and visionary stance,” said Mungal-Singh.
“These regulations show significant improvements in relation to the comprehensiveness of the embedded elements and pertinent definitions.”
Tomado de:
http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/world-no-tobacco-day-a-good-time-to-quit-1.1308546
The Times of India. Nueva Delhi, 31 de mayo de 2012
World No Tobacco Day: Put out the butt before it puts you out!
On World No Tobacco Day today, we find out whether the law banning public smoking has made a substantial difference or not...
If the otherwise positive phrase 'Chhota packet, bada dhamaka' was to be used for a negative connotation; describing a tobacco product sachet may be a good idea. Everyone's aware of what that small white stick is capable of doing before reducing itself to ashes. The same was noticeably realized by our government around 2008, which resulted in an enforcement of a law prohibiting smoking in public places. And as we observe the World No Tobacco Day, we try to find out how far the law has made the difference so far as tobbaco consumption is concerned.
"If not major, it certainly made some difference," believes Aakarsha Pandey, a pharmacy student, who adds, "It was easy for smokers earlier to pull out a cigarette whenever and wherever they wanted. But now after the enforcement of the law, it has become an added effort to get up from where they are sitting and find a safe area before lighting a cigarette. I also feel majority are aware about this law, which adds to the whole effect." Though Soumyaa Harsha, who is pursing her CA, doesn't agree with this wholeheartedly. "The picture is not very different," she says, "We see so many people smoking on the road. This law also, like many others, is not implemented effectively. I doubt how many passive smokers will speak up for their rights."
Sociologist Gaurang Jani half-agrees with Soumyaa, when he says, "The implementation and awareness of the law is predictably poor." He adds, "Still, I would say it has made a significant difference. A tighter enforcement of the law will check smoking as a habit. But if we talk about chewing tobacco; there has been no change in the scenario. On the contrary, I can tell you that the number has increased."
Hardatt Trivedi, a communication student, shares his own tale admitting that now his cigarette pack lasts longer than earlier. "The ban has come as a watchdog for us," he says, adding, "Now you don't see people smoking in cinema halls or auditoriums; and people will turn back and tell you to stop smoking in buses. I feel, it also keeps a check on those youngsters (read beginners) wanting to light up one."
Taking a holistic look, Kinner Shah, senior oncologist who has been actively involved in anti-tobacco campaigns says, "The law has definitely brought about positive changes. However even today, we find shops selling tobacco products right next to schools. We have to deal with this grey area. Surrogate tobacco consumption advertisement is much happening on television, radio and other mediums. Stronger health warning labels can go a long way in curbing tobacco consumption. We need to start aggressive awareness campaigns about the anti-tobacco law, which will curb tobacco consumption."
Let's hope, the coming days will see us as a nation gearing up to kick the butt.
nidhin.patel@timesgroup.com
Tomado de:
The Hindu. Nueva Delhi, India, 31 de mayo de 2012
‘Keep away from tobacco'
On the eve of World No Tobacco Day, artists of Manipal Sand Heart Team carved out a sculpture focusing on the ill-effects of use of tobacco at the parking lot of the Kasturba Hospital here on Wednesday. The theme of this year's World No Tobacco Day is: “Stop tobacco industry interference”.
The sculpture was carved by Srinath Manipal, Ravi Hirebettu and Venki Palimar. The sculpture has a web-like structure of cigarettes made of PVC pipes. Four persons are seen caught in the web. In between the web-like structure is a person made of orange material, who is called “tobacco industry”. The sculpture has various placards against the use of tobacco. Leader of the team Mr. Manipal told The Hindu that in the sculpture, the four persons caught in the web-like structure were addicted to smoking. The tobacco industry was shown in the middle of the web as it tried to attract people through various means. “The aim of our sculpture is to make people aware of the health risks of getting addicted to tobacco. Through this sculpture, we are urging people to keep away from tobacco,” Mr. Manipal said.
The sculpture was carved with the support of Kasturba Hospital and the Community Health Department of Kasturba Medical College (KMC).
Keywords: World No Tobacco Day, anti-tobacco drive
Tomado de:
The Times of India. Patna India, 31 de mayo de 2012
World No Tobacco Day: Bihar govt bans gutkha, pan masala for 1 year
Banjot Kaur Bhatia, TNN | May 31, 2012, 01.26AM IST
PATNA: Taking a giant step in its war against tobacco products in the state, Bihar government on Wednesday banned the sale of tobacco and nicotine-mixed gutkha and pan masala and their variants for one year. A notification to this effect was issued on Wednesday afternoon. With this decision taken on the eve of 'World No-Tobacco Day', Bihar has become the third state after Madhya Pradesh and Kerala to ban these products.
Speaking about it, health secretary cum commissioner, Sanjay Kumar said, "The manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients have been prohibited for one year from the date of issue of order." It is based on the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India regulation no 2.3.4 to prohibit the addition of tobacco or nicotine in food, which was issued on August 1, 2011.
"Those found violating the ban would be slapped fine up to Rs 3 lakh or imprisonment for one year," Kumar said, adding "It would be implemented by food safety officers and other designated officers. All district magistrates, superintendents of police and civil surgeons have been asked to take appropriate action to enforce the order. The designated teams will start conducting raids from Thursday."
Earlier in the day, addressing a gathering organized by Cancer Awareness Society (CAS), principal secretary, health, Amarjeet Sinha said the war against tobacco products in the state can't be fought successfully unless the community joins the state government and civil society groups in its efforts.
He said, "Polio could be eradicated only because people realized the gravity of situation and cooperated with the government. Similar is the case with tobacco control. Different sectors like health, education, home and transport need to work in tandem to prevent and cure tobacco cancer." Incidentally, according to a study of Global Adult Tobacco survey, 53.5% people of the state consume tobacco.
Stressing on tertiary care of cancer treatment, Sinha said that better facilities for cancer surgery would be made available at the Patna Medical College and Hospital, Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences. He added that hospital chains like Fortis and Max have shown interest in opening their specialized cancer treatment centres in the city.
CAS national president T P Sinha said Bihar has become the first state to adopt multi-sectoral approach to tackle the problem of tobacco use. While the education department would see that tobacco is not sold in a radius of 100 yards from a school premises, the police would try to ensure that public places become free of tobacco, he said.
Associate professor of radiotherapy in PMCH, Dr P N Pandit highlighted the point that approximately one-third of cancer is caused by tobacco consumption.
Tomado de:
martes, 29 de mayo de 2012
Astian Tribune, 29 de mayo de 2012
Chewing Tobacco: A Lethal Menace On The Block
By Shobha Shukla – CNS
Jyoti (name changed) hails from rural Uttar Pradesh which has a high prevalence rate of smokeless tobacco. Two years ago she became addicted to paan masala (a popular form of chewing tobacco) of a particular brand, under the influence of her friends.
She began with one or two pouches a day, but the number quickly increased to 25. With one pouch costing one rupee (less than 2 cents) she had to cook stories to get money from her parents for this. She says, “I would ask them for money to buy eats and spend it on tobacco. I would eat outside the house, never in front of my parents. Then I would brush my teeth.”
Eating tobacco put her on a high giving her momentary respite from the perpetual tension in the family. Her own marriage had broken and her father ill treated her mother. At the end of one year she started having difficulty in opening her mouth fully—‘It was difficult for me to open my mouth to put my three fingers inside it.’
Luckily for Jyoti, her present employer coaxed her to quit this deadly habit, and she has been off it since the time she came to Lucknow one year ago. ‘My madam told me that eating paan masala was a bad habit. So I just decided one fine day to quit and I did. I also helped my friends to quit. Now I cannot even tolerate anyone else eating it in front of me.’
Not everyone is as lucky and strong willed as Jyoti. Nearly 6 million people die globally every year due to tobacco related diseases out of which 1 million deaths occur in India alone. India is the second largest consumer as well as producer of tobacco products after China in the world. Around 35% of its adult population uses tobacco in some form or the other, with nearly 50% of the males and over 20% of the females being part of this poison wagon. A large majority of these tobacco users prefer smokeless tobacco products like betel quid with tobacco, gutkha, paan masala, khaini, mishri, gul, over smoking tobacco.
Dr Tara Singh Bam, Technical Advisor, Tobacco Control at the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) informs that tobacco kills more than 15,000 people every year in Nepal, where 28.5% of the population uses some form of tobacco. 31.2% of men and 4.6% of women use smokeless/chewing tobacco. Women, children and the poor are seriously victimized with both forms of tobacco use; smoking and chewing tobacco.
40 years old Sanjay (name changed), father of two, is a driver with a leading private company in a metro city of India. He has been chewing gutkha since 1988 when he was in grade 12.
“My father used to eat tobacco at home and my mother was fond of betel leaves. This is how I got initiated into it. Earlier I would only eat 5-10 pouches per day. But soon it became an addiction and for the past several years I have been consuming 35-40 pouches every day. I buy my daily stock in advance and in bulk as this is more economical (a single pouch of his brand costs Rs2 but a pack of 8 costs Rs 10 only). On an average I spend Rs 50 per day (Rs 1500 per month) on this. Yes there is definitely something addictive in gutkha. I feel lethargic if I do not get my daily dose. I do not think I will ever be able to quit. Moreover I think it is okay to have it, as I do not have any health problems.”
Like Sanjay most of the tobacco chewers do not know that, contrary to popular belief, no form of tobacco is safe. Recent researches have proved that a single pinch of smokeless tobacco exposes the user to the same amount of polyclinic aromatic hydrocarbons as that produced by the smoke of 5 cigarettes. People who chew tobacco 10 times a day could be getting the same amount of nicotine as those who smoke two packs of cigarettes. This nicotine is absorbed directly in the blood stream through the mouth wall. Smokeless tobacco users are far more likely to develop mouth cancer, which is one of the toughest cancers to cure, than non users. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, 50% of cancers among men and 25% among women in India are related to tobacco use. The gutkha menace is responsible for India harbouring the maximum number of oral cancer patients in the world, 90% of which are related to the use of chewing tobacco.
With the intent of controlling the consumption of various forms of chewing tobacco, the Indian Government has recently enforced a new Regulation of The Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, (for implementation from August 2011) which states that tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in any food products. The Supreme Court has clarified that, ‘Since paan masala, gutkha or supari are eaten for taste and nourishment, they are all food within the meaning of Section 2(v) of the PFA Act.’ Madhya Pradesh was the first state to ban Gutkha under this Act, with effect from April, 2012. It has been closely followed by Kerala which has also prohibited production, storage, distribution and sale of gutkha, paan masala and similar products containing tobacco and nicotine, with effect from 22nd May, 2012. Goa had already banned these products under the Public Health Act, and Uttar Pradesh is actively considering to impose a similar ban. It is hoped that these winds of change will sweep across all the states of the entire country to help blow away the fearful epidemic of tobacco.
Dr Ehsan Latif, Director of Tobacco Control at The Union fears that, “Although chewing tobacco is not produced in Pakistan or Bangladesh, gutkha and paan masala are smuggled from India into the country across the very porous border through various channels and are easily available in every paan shop there. Currently we are not facing that high a burden of oral cancers in Pakistan, as in India, but oral tobacco is becoming more and more common which may take an epidemic form if not curbed.”
Prannay Lal of The Union calls chewing tobacco a nefarious industry and wants that chewing tobacco should not only be banned at the government level but civil society efforts should make it socially unacceptable too, just like smoking was branded as ‘uncool’.
According to Dr Mira Aghi a noted tobacco control activist and winner of 2012 Luther L Terry Award for outstanding community service, “Since processed smokeless tobacco is inexpensive (cost in pennies) and is sold in small, convenient-to-carry packs, its use has become common place. Many women believe that as it is promoted so much, smokeless tobacco just cannot be bad for the user. They like its taste, its ability to instil energy, taking their mind off worries, and helping them to control hunger. They do not associate any negative impact on their health with their use of tobacco. These perceptions and attitudes show complete ignorance of the masses about the health effects of chewing tobacco. So, Article 12 of the FCTC (Using Education, Communication and Training to Advance Tobacco Control Goals) needs to be implemented with utmost urgency if we want a tobacco free healthy society.”
The Union has been working on tobacco control in low-income countries for the last 25 years. As a partner in the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use, it works to cut tobacco use and save lives by supporting projects to achieve 100% smoke free environments; improving tobacco control legislation; training public health professionals in management skills related to tobacco control, and giving technical and legal advice on a variety of tobacco control issues.
Years ago the Indian government had saved innumerable families from economic ruin and disaster by banning the government lotteries (which had become a horrible addiction, especially for the poor). It can now save thousands of lives from illness and death by strictly enforcing a legal ban on the production and sale of chewing tobacco, followed by similar controls on cigarettes and bidis.
-Asian Tribune –
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