On May 31 every year, World No Tobacco Day is celebrated across the globe. This is one of the eight global health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO). Each year’s campaign is based on different themes about tobacco and its negative effects on the consumers. This year’s campaign theme is on tobacco and lung health, focussing on creating awareness on the negative impact that tobacco has on people’s lung health, from lung cancer to chronic respiratory diseases, the fundamental role lungs play for the health and well-being of all people.
While most of the people in India who consume tobacco in one form or the other are aware of the life-threatening diseases caused by its consumption, the question remains: why does a majority of this population continue consuming tobacco? According to surveys and studies over the years, there has been a slight decrease in the usage of tobacco but India still stands second in global rankings when it comes to the production and consumption of tobacco.
In urban areas, office goers and college students smoking in groups near or around a chai tapri or a tea stall is a very common sight. Even the cigarette packets that are covered with 85% of warnings and images which show how smoking causes cancer do not have any impact on their habits. One particular regular smoker, who does not want to be named, said, “Why would I look at the packaging when the cigarette, that’s inside, is what I want?” This shows that he is aware of what he is doing but chooses to be ignorant. Similarly, other common tobacco products used more widely than cigarettes are khaini, gutkha and beedi.
Prashant, another regular visitor of a paan shop, says that he had been smoking for 20 years now and never felt like quitting. According to him, smoking gives him relief and creative ideas for working. He smokes during work breaks which he feels is essential to reduce the stress. Other similar answers most of the others give when questioned about their tobacco habit, are “Aadat ho gayi hai” which translates to “We are used to it” or “We are habituated to it”. But there is a ray of hope as well as there are people who have completely given up smoking. Rupesh Modanwal, an ex-smoker shares, “I quit smoking three years ago when I realised it was having a bad impact on my health. It was difficult to get rid of a 10-year-old habit which I started during my college days but it feels good now.”
While giving up a habit permanently is not easy a person has to start somewhere if he genuinely wishes to embrace a desirable change. Here are a few points which one needs to keep in mind to quit tobacco…
1. A willingness to quit and some motivation is essential. This motivation can be found with the help of family members and close friends. Stay positive!
2. A change in personal behaviour is a must. Try to keep yourself busy, it will help in keeping away thoughts about smoking.
3. One must switch to a healthier lifestyle by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising.
4. The money used to buy the tobacco products can be used for savings.
5. There are products like nicotine gums, patches and lozenges available in the market which help to control the nicotine intake in the body and eventually lowers the addiction.
6. Consult your doctor about medication.
7. There is a cessation Programme started by the government which helps tobacco users to quit tobacco for life. A tobacco user who wants to quit the habit can register through e-mail or the mobile number on the National Health Portal website. The portal offers various tips on a variety of topics in a detailed manner which will benefit the users. There is an image and a video gallery as well which shows how dangerous consumption of tobacco is. This initiative, started by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, also helps to create awareness about diabetes and cancer.
