As the world observes May 31 as ‘No Tobacco Day’, there is little sign that Indians are keen on paying heed to the warning. Even the theme for the same is ‘Smoke Free Environments’. But, who cares?

The Indian Government has asked all the tobacco companies to introduce ’skull and cross bones’ and other pictorial warnings on their packs. Though, the dictum, ‘Smoking is injurious to health’ stands, without any affect on the smokers. There is a ban on smoking in public. Even the Indian constitution says it is the fundamental right for every citizen to breathe in clean, pure air. That straightaway carries a pledge to be obliged. Even despite this, smokers do not take notice of this.

Recently, a court order in Delhi has made it illegal to smoke while driving. The railways have banished smoking from the platforms and ‘No Smoking’ boards are seen in government offices. Rules have been framed to restrain the use of tobacco; market trends reveal a different picture. In India only, last one year has seen entry of more than four new cigarette brands along with the dominant players who have introduced new classy cigarette packs to attract customers along with new flavors. This clearly point towards the increasing use of tobacco.

I would say that there is apparently some increase in smoking levels. I don’t think bringing in legislation banning smoking has resulted in decrease in smoking level but strict enforcements of such bans are always welcome,

says Dr. SK Jindal Professor and Head, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh.

Even the World Health Organization (WHO) has asked for a complete ban on smoking in all indoor workplaces and public places, making them 100% smoke-free. WHO warned that it is not just the smokers suffering from the use of cigarettes, but it’s the non-smokers suffering the most from polluted environment, leading to cancer, acute and chronic heart disease. In children, it is linked to lower respiratory infections, asthma, middle-ear infections and sudden infant death syndrome.

Smoking has more to do with Psychology than anything else and hence banning or imposing fines won’t help much. Its all in the mind. A person smokes to gain diversion from something and he thinks he is getting a good feeling. Some smoke because they think through this they are becoming powerful and hence defile his close ones who ask him not to smoke. A smoker needs Psychotherapy,

says Aruna Broota, Psychologist based in the capital.

In India, tobacco-related cancers account for half of all cancers among men and one fourth of all cancers among women in India, according to Cancer Patients Aids Association (CPAA). Tobacco usage is a major cause of death and illness all over the world with India being no exception, causing more than five million deaths a year around the globe. By 2030, if present trends continue, 8 out of every 10 tobacco-related deaths will be in the developing world.

Despite all this, banning is just not possible because of the huge revenue that the Government gets through taxes. The only thing the Government can do in this regard is to increase awareness and tax the tobacco companies heavily. Higher prices will become a deterrent for many.

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Via:Dnaindia