Warangal: Time to focus on tobacco hazards

Warangal: Even though nearly eight lakh people die every year due to the diseases caused by tobacco use, the government agencies concerned were yet to make a concrete move to implement the guidelines of the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) that monitor the tobacco use and prevention policies in the country. It may be mentioned here that use of tobacco accounts the lives of nearly eight lakh people every year due to various dysfunctions caused by it.

Even though the World Health Organisation (WHO) had established the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), an international legal treaty, in 2005, what the government was doing is a pittance when a lot to be done.

It may be mentioned here that the use of tobacco is responsible for half of all the cancers in men and a quarter of all cancers in women in the country. While nearly 8 lakh people die per annum in India due to the diseases caused by tobacco use, the death toll is about 6 million across the world. The other startling fact is that nearly 6 lakh people die due to Second-hand smoke in the world.

Speaking to The Hans India, cardiologist Dr Srinivas Ramaka, who has been sensitising the people about ill effects of tobacco use through his Srinivasa Heart Foundation in Warangal for over a decade, said: "The Agencies concerned in Telangana have blithe concern towards implementing NTCP guidelines. In fact, some of the officials were not even aware of their role in the implementation of the NTCP guidelines."

Referring to the FCTC's MPOWER policy that includes several proactive measures to discourage the use of cigarettes and other tobacco products besides protecting non-smokers from second-hand smoke, D Srinivas said that the State government reportedly failed to utilise the funds allocated to create awareness among the people about the mal-effects of tobacco use.

The '50th Union World Conference on Lung Health' to be held from October 30 to November 2 at HICC in Hyderabad where a range of workshops, symposia, debates, interactive sessions, abstract-based sessions and community-driven discussions will take place would be a huge opportunity for those who are concerned with public health, tobacco prevention in the State, DMHOs, doctors, medical students, Dr Srinivas said.

Incidentally, Dr Srinivas would give a presentation on 'Training programme for treating tobacco dependence in primary care' from 9.45 am to 11.15 am on October 30, the first day of the conference. Dr Srinivas is a recipient of WHO SEARO Regional Director's Special Appreciation Award for World No Tobacco Day-2013.