Tobacco is one of the major causes of death and disease in India and accounts for nearly 1.35 million deaths every year. Nearly 27% of all cancers in India are due to tobacco usage.
Tobacco smoking is a known risk factor for many respiratory infections and increases the severity of respiratory diseases including COVID-19. Tobacco use worsens co-morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension.
As per the recent Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-4) released by India’s union minister for health and family welfare, nearly one-fifth of students aged 13-15 years are using tobacco products in India.
The nationwide survey of students revealed that 38% cigarette smokers, 47% bidi smokers, and 52% of smokeless tobacco users picked up the habit before their 10th birthday. It is alarming to note the tobacco initiation age is now reported as eight to nine years!
My Friend Started Smoking To Look Cool
Also, a recent study published in the “Journal of Nicotine and Tobacco Research” has flagged the issue of the severe economic burden of second-hand smoke exposure in India. The study revealed that second-hand smoke or passive smoking costs ₹567 billion in healthcare costs annually.
When I joined the University of Delhi in 2019 as a bachelor’s student, a friend of mine used to live on the same floor as me in the PG (paying guest). He was a very decent student and didn’t like to consume alcohol or tobacco. In a few months, I left the PG and shifted to a flat.
One evening, I met him by chance near our college. While walking, we had a little chit-chat about the studies, approaching first semester exams, student union elections etc. We stopped at one egg shop to have some omelette and he picked up two cigarettes. I wondered why he was picking up cigarettes!
He lit up one cigarette and offered me the second one. I denied it and asked him in astonishment when he had started smoking when he didn’t like it at all. He said he is joining student politics and looking forward to contesting an election in Delhi University’s students union. As to look serious, cool and “macho”, he must smoke.
How Tobacco Companies Target Teens
This is not true about one person, but the entire youth is running behind the idea that smoking makes them cool. Web series, social media, OTT platforms, movies etc. are smartly planting this idea of “coolness” in gen z.
They are becoming a fool in the name of becoming cool. There is peer pressure on others as well who are not indulge in such activities. Even I have been bullied by friends and classmates for not smoking, drinking etc. They often ask me how I “enjoy” my life if I am not doing these things.
According to them, I am very old school. They shame others! I really have no objection if they are smoking, I respect their liberty to choose whatever they want to do, but this respect should be from both sides. It’s fine if they smoke, it should also be fine If I don’t smoke. But, this ill behaviour of youth is tempting others to do these things in the name of “just trying” it.
Shockingly, tobacco companies are blatantly targeting teenagers, and youths enticing them in various ways to consume nicotine-laced gutkha, cigarettes and other tobacco products through aggressive marketing at the point of sale, surrogate advertisements, both online and offline.
The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act
In today’s digital era, when our children and youth are exposed to various digital and OTT mediums which are providing promotions, visuals and images that are promoting smoking and consumption of tobacco.
To protect the children and youth from the menace of tobacco, it’s very important to have stringent laws and at present, it’s critical to improve upon our existing laws and have stronger penalty provisions for a healthy India. In today’s scenario, the biggest challenge for a young nation like India is to have a tobacco-free generation.
Finally in India, the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA, 2003) is the principal tobacco control law in force. The Act intended as a comprehensive law on tobacco control was adopted over 15 years ago but over time, lacunas in the Act have become apparent and proved to be a major challenge in its effective implementation.
It is therefore important that it undergoes amendments to make tobacco products harder and more expensive to access. Besides, increasing legal age for smoking from 18 to 21 years, as well as fines for violations, banning all kinds of advertising at the point of sale, sale of single sticks of cigarettes and designated smoking areas, will save our friends from becoming tobacco addicts and save their lives.
YKA-101 Reporters’ investigation found that the tobacco control regulations are being flouted quite openly, putting millions of young Indians at the risk of developing addiction and deadly diseases.
Tobacco And Protection Of Child Rights
A mock survey conducted in Bangalore by an entertainment company Passion Unleashed (as part of an agreement with a leading tobacco company) is a case in point. In exchange for providing the surveyor basic information about their brand preference, name and age, the participant gets a free pack of cigarettes.
The Government of India introduced the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Amendment) Bill, 2020, on January 1, 2021.
Public comments were invited on the draft bill. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India needs to immediately introduce the bill in the Parliament if it wants to check the tobacco consumption and the related economic, social and death burden.
In today’s scenario, the biggest challenge for a young nation like India is to have a tobacco-free generation. Priyank Kanoongo, chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, has also urged the government of India to make necessary rectification.
He says that certain pockets in the country, such as the Northeastern states, especially Mizoram and Assam, need immediate attention, where tobacco abuse has been able to make inroads among children who are just six years old.