Tabacco Control Program

Tobacco is the foremost preventable cause of death and disease in the world today, leading to many cancerous diseases, abhorring people from living a normal lifestyle. Globally, approximately 6.4 million people die each year from diseases resulting from tobacco consumption. Tobacco is a risk factor 6 of the 8 leading causes of death. In India itself, every year sees the death of at least 12 to 13 lakh people. 30% of cancer that people in India suffer is due to tobacco consumption. Not only cancers but cardiovascular diseases, lung disorders, strokes, and even cataracts. Even though the 'sweetness' of tobacco leads to millions of death, people are ready to consume just to satisfy their stinging satire.

Few of the Tobacco Control Programs are -

• BSS (Balaji Sewa Sansthan) a credible NGO mainly based in the northern part of India, is working in a tobacco control programme for more than 6 years. With the support of the Union South-East Asia and Health department- The state tobacco control cell formed under the National Tobacco Control Programme, is trying to reduce the consumption of tobacco products in society to protect the Youth and Children.

• The Parliament enacted the " Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTTA) in 2003 to curb the consumption of tobacco among youth and to protect the health of non-smokers from the harmful effects of the second-hand smoker.

• To enhance the tribulations and to bring about greater awareness as well as for fulfilling the obligations under the WHO-FCTC, the ministry of health and family welfare has administered a new National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in the XI five years plan.

• This project will also support implementing the guidline of FCTC article 5.3 for stopping tobacco industry inference (TII) and tobacco vendor licensing in states.

• The WHO framework convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is the first international treaty negotiated under the auspices of WHO, signed by 181 (currently) parties to the convention. It not only aims to reduce tobacco consumption in countries but also deals with complex factors with cross-border effects such as trade, liberalisation and direct foreign investment, tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship beyond national borders and even illicit trade of tobacco products.

• All forms of tobacco are harmful. People who are consuming are affected but the innocent ones coming in contact with second-hand smoke are also greatly affected. For the guilty pleasure of smoking, people are not realising the after-effects. The consumption is not only holding them responsible for their death but their density members as well as those who come in contact with them.

   Blog By : Harsh Agrawal