Harmful Effects Of Tobacco

  Protection Of Future Generation From Harmful Effects Of Tobacco

“The tobacco pandemic is a communicated disease. It is communicated through advertising to which non-smokers - especially children - are exposed” 

                                                                                             - Director General of WHO

One of the most widely spread indiscretions more than drinking alcohol is the use of tobacco, also known as ‘Brown Gold’ a trade-able commodity in olden days. Tobacco is smoked, vaped or chewed by people around the world of all ages. 

World-wide, about 23% of all adults are smokers and nearly 30% of adolescents use some sort of tobacco. Statistics-wise, the majority of all the tobacco users started when they were teenagers and continued the habit well into their old age. Sadly, in India, over 6 lakh children (10-15 years of age) smoke everyday. Even though this is only 0.5% of all the children in that age group, one starts to ponder on how a child at that age can get addicted to it and how they were provided the resources for the unacceptable practice. This number is an understatement of the plight of young Indian smokers as this does not include children who smoke once in a while. If children start abusing tobacco at this age It is extremely difficult to get rid of this habit throughout their lives leading to major complications in their well being. 

Using tobacco is dangerous not only to the individual’s health but also to their off springs who passively inhale it and increases the danger of narcotics abuse within the future. Often babies are affected even before they are born if anyone in close contact is a user of tobacco or even if the mother is exposed to passive smoking. We find children having deadly, incurable diseases such as Cancer, Tuberculosis, Lung diseases and experiencing physical, mental, psychological & social disorders. Smoking, chewing or inhaling tobacco in any form, generally may cause a person to lie on his/her deathbed earlier than a non smoker.

Irresponsible film stars, sports personnels, neighbours, friends all influence the young generation towards this habit. 

Tobacco companies target children since they are the easiest to influence - especially if they come from a poor background, owing to their lack of knowledge to make crucial decisions regarding the pros and cons of using tobacco. 

According to COTPA (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act) the sale of tobacco is banned within 100 yards of any educational institution. Unfortunately these measures are not implemented adequately. Frequent inspections should be conducted and harsh punishments should be handed out for those who do not follow these important measures. Directives and Ordinances on the usage of tobacco should be drafted and circulated by the state government to all local bodies. The Children Welfare Trust should make sure that rules are strictly followed and that no advertisements displaying tobacco usage are depicted in public hoardings, in movies, digital platforms etc. to protect the future generation. Government Order should be passed on to schools and colleges to educate children on the ill-effects of all kinds of substance abuse. We can also minimize tobacco use by increasing the tax exorbitantly and make them non-affordable to the general public. Areas of restriction for smokers can be demarcated as in private lobbies, zones in bars, etc. Hefty fines can be levied on people who spit in public places, government buildings and in crowded places. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) created the No Tobacco Day on the 31st of May 1987 to spread awareness about its ill effects and to decrease the death rates that are being caused due to tobacco. 

Best initiative has been taken by many Parks, Institutions & Commercial buildings to ban smoking in the area so that all the individuals can have a smoke-free life. 

Let’s join hands to make a better and a safe future for our coming generations! 

Written By Adil Sukumar

References
● 6.25 lakh children smoke cigarettes daily in India: Tobacco Atlas report - Hindustan Times
● Census of India: Age Structure And Marital Status (censusindia.gov.in)
● What is the future for the tobacco industry? | Tobacco Control (bmj.com)
● Full article: Tobacco control - protecting future generations’ lungs (tandfonline.com)
● Nicotine: Facts, effects, and addiction (medicalnewstoday.com)
● Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products DrugFacts | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
● Smoking and Infertility (reproductivefacts.org)