Tobacco consumption in India is alarmingly high and the country is the second highest tobacco consumer. Tobacco Free West Bengal organized a media sensitization meet to urge the State Government and the youth of the State to implement COTPA Regulations more stringently and arrest the rising tobacco epidemic.
Dr. Mahfuz Ariff, MD, Radiotherapy (in-charge), Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre & Research Institute, who was present at the occasion, said, “Tobacco consumption is fatal. It is gaining alarming pace in West Bengal. Let us be responsible and make our future generation healthy”.
Mr. Indranil Dasgupta, Programme Manager, Tomorrow’s Foundation comments on the occasion, “Tobacco consumption is one of the most fatal habits of the nation. It is the leading cause of preventable death. The objective of our campaign is to sensitise State Government officials on the COTPA Regulations and ensure proper enforcement of it. In this regard, we also urge the youth of the State to come forward and support us in our cause.”
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According to GATS 2 (Global Adult Tobacco Survey) report published in 2016 – 2017, India has the second the largest number of tobacco users in the world, with 28.6% population consuming tobacco in all forms. Tobacco causes approximately 1.3 million deaths in the country. West Bengal has alarmingly high number of tobacco consumers.
Percentage of adults exposed to secondhand smoke at Home is 56.1%. Percentage of adults exposed to secondhand smoke at Workplace is 57.5%. 5.4% women in the state continue Tobacco use during their pregnancy term. 9.6% of the state’s population is exposed to smoking by age 15, 19.8% get addicted within 18-19 years, 53.8% get addicted by 20-34 yrs.
According to a report published in 2011 by Ministry of Health; Family Welfare, Government of India in collaboration with WHO India and Public Health Foundation of India on the economic burden related to health issues caused by tobacco, the economic burden of West Bengal was Rs 3,440 crores. Economic burden of West Bengal due to cancer, respiratory disease and TB was Rs 1,332 crores due to tobacco consumption.
We can therefore conclude, a large sum of money is being spent on the treatment of tobacco related diseases and hence consumption of tobacco needs to be arrested.
About Tobacco Free West Bengal:- Tobacco Free West Bengal is a campaign launched by Tomorrow’s Foundation. The main aim of the campaign is to protect citizens from the most preventable cause of death – tobacco. The primary focus of Tobacco Free West Bengal is to ensure the enforcement of COTPA 2003 by working in close association with the health and home department of the Government of West Bengal and youth of the State.
About Tomorrow’s Foundation--- Tomorrow’s Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life of underprivileged and marginalized children and young adults (including youth with disabilities) through Education and Training. The work is designed to enhance individual skills and knowledge, so that children and young people can realize their Self Worth. Today, Tomorrow's Foundation is present in 150+ slum locations across West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai. With 28 years of experience and expertise of creating a unique model: the Life Cycle Approach from Education to Economic Empowerment which is inclusive in nature (For Differently Abled & Child Protection) retaining Government as a Partner and working within the traditional Governmental System.
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