The order for new and stringent pictorial warnings on tobacco products has been deferred by six months to December 1 from the scheduled date of June 1, 2010. The Voluntary Health Association of India has stated that the current pictorial warnings are ineffective. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 1
Tobacco, one of the world’s biggest health threats, is a human-made product and as the world observes World No Tobacco Day 2010, the consequences from the product in Nagaland is perhaps even worse than any other.
The use of tobacco and its by-products in the state is extensive. It is no secret that Nagas are addicted to tobacco, smoked or otherwise. Reiterating this fact is the proprietor of one of the most popular of shops in Dimapur claiming that he earns 3000 rupees in sales just from “tamul” and “pan” alone. In a day!
The shopkeeper also informs that an average of 15 packets of cigarettes gets sold in a day and 25 (large) packets of “Rajnigandha” spiced tobacco brand in two days. In business for ten years, the shopkeeper also opines that he has seen a drastic increase in the number of women smokers and other tobacco products.
Dr. Banuo, a specialist with Dimapur District Hospital says that like the issue of HIV/AIDS is given a platform in Nagaland, so also the ill-effects of tobacco use ought to be. “Doctors can also educate our patients but it’s the duty of the government to inform the masses, while the public can also play an active part and be responsible,” she feels. In Nagaland it is a double-injury, she says, that it is not only smoking but wide use of “Ghutkas” that are the primary cause of health problems in Nagas. “Nagas inhale toxic stuffs double than others” Dr. Banuo states.
On measures to help curb the menace, Dr. Banuo says proper ventilation in public latrines should be given a thought to. “I don’t understand why people have to smoke in latrines, but anyway they do. So in public places like stations, hospitals, restaurants, proper ventilation should be mandatory,” she suggests. Another idea vouched was to make leaders of private firms (such as MDs or even autorickshaw union leaders) to create awareness on the hazards of tobacco use.
Commenting on the statistics revealed in a recent survey that 20% of the world’s one billion smokers are women, she says it may be because socialization is more than ever before. She also counts peer-pressure at work or educational institutions or a friendly gesture by a friend offering tobacco, as the reasons that people succumb and eventually become addicted.
ENT specialist Dr. KA Longkumer said long term use of tobacco and its by-products lead to cancer. “A lot of times patients come to me after it’s too late. I usually advise them to stop smoking or chewing tobacco now. But they do not give up the habit and it becomes cancerous later after which they stop but of what use?” he says.
The brands “Rajnigandha”, “Tez” and “Chutki” (spiced tobacco products) and all are very dangerous, he says, and added that there is even one theory that cancer is developed solely by irritation.
Dr. Longkumer also narrates that earlier, ‘khaini’ (shred tobacco) was taken by non-locals and just the sight would make one laugh. But nowadays, he said many women consume ‘khaini’. “Once you form the habit, it’s hard to give up and often it’s too late for doctors to even do anything,” he said. He has dealt with lot of cases where young people have died of lung cancer, Dr. Longkumer said. Educational institutions, the church and parents are the potential the key players in advising youngsters against indulging in these activities but in the Naga society it is often the parents themselves that indulge in the substances, Dr. Longkumer said.
A recent survey has ranked Nagaland state highest among those in the country that has children who consume tobacco – 62.8%. The World Health Organization’s theme for global anti-smoking day is “gender and tobacco” and the harmful effects of tobacco marketing and smoking on women and girls. Tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world, currently responsible for the death of one in 10 adults worldwide, or about 5 million deaths each year, said the WHO. According to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, by 2010 nearly one million people in India will die because of smoking while 70% smokers will die between the age of 30 and 69.
