Cancer is killing younger people in India and affecting far more poor and less-educated villagers than wealthier, better-educated urban people, researchers reported in a latest finding. According to the lead author of the paper, Professor Prahbat Jha at the Centre for Global Health Research at the University of Toronto in Canada, cancer appears earlier (in India) than say in China or the U.S., so it's a disease of the young. According to the study, this could be because of India’s younger population and the long-standing use of tobacco, which is the main cause of cancer in the country and responsible for 40 percent of cancers in men and 20 percent in women. All such study and statistics should be an eye opener especially for people in the Northeast region including our very own Nagaland where tobacco use is widespread. In fact according to the latest findings, a 30-year-old male in northeast had about 11.2 per cent chances of dying from cancer before he turned 70. Tobacco-related cancer deaths in men in Assam and other northeast States were “greater than the national rates of deaths from all cancers.” “Common and long-term use of tobacco is seen in Assam and other northeastern States,” the study points out. The writing on the wall is very clear—the danger to health if something drastic is not done to curtail the use of tobacco.
A few months ago, we had written an editorial on this very subject where we had highlighted about our ‘Pan Shop Culture’ and the problem related to consumption of tobacco in its various forms and manifestations in our Naga society. The earlier statistics for Nagaland which we had shared with our readers is both scary and shocking. According to a survey conducted by the government of India, 48% of the people in Nagaland are tobacco users. This statistic is indeed a matter of deep concern for all of us. It will not be surprising to learn that out of the 48% population mentioned, a good number will be from school and college going children. Not surprisingly tobacco use by parents and close friends was positively associated with students' current tobacco use. The study concludes that tobacco use including smoking was very high, even among girls, in all eight states in the North-eastern part of India. Tobacco in various forms is a favourite in government offices, within the police force, colleges and even schools. Also tobacco use is rampant because of its easy availability and given that it is inexpensive (unlike drugs and foreign liquor).
The fight against tobacco consumption is not going to be easy. However it does not mean that we do nothing about it. Perhaps we need to take small steps. To start with the popular ‘Pan shop’ in every nook and corner of our locality can be regulated. In doing so, we will be protecting the health and well being of our children—out future generation. Side by side, we must continue to create mass awareness on the ill effects of tobacco consumption. And what better way to do this then through education. Whether it is population control or making healthy choices in life, it is a proven fact that literacy plays a big role. As the latest study has mentioned right in the beginning, cancer including from tobacco use is killing far more poor and less-educated villagers because they simply do not know. Our school system must educate students about the hazards of tobacco use. In general education and knowledge is vital to ensure an enlightened public mind who can take important decisions affecting their health like early detection and treatment.
