GUWAHATI: Health experts in Guwahati have called for implementation of stringent measures to control tobacco consumption in the city as well as the state after a recent survey revealed an increase in tobacco consumption in Assam.
According to the recent Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2 (GATS2) released by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MHFW), the state has shown a significant rise of almost 9% in tobacco consumption from 39.3% in the last survey held in 2009-10 to 48.2% in the recent survey.
Further, the GATS2 survey revealed that 62.9% men, 32.9% of women and 48.2% of all adults in Assam either consume tobacco by smoking or consume smokeless tobacco (zarda, khaini).
On the other hand, it has shown an overall reduction in tobacco consumption at the national level.
Experts have called it an ‘alarming situation’ and have called for better implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA).
Talking to G Plus, Dr. Amal Chandra Kataki, Director of Dr. B Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI) said, “The foremost thing that should be done is to strictly implement all the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act. For this, district administration needs to play a very important role.”
He added that all sections of the society will have to be actively involved for its proper implementation.
“Such an increase in tobacco consumption means people are consuming some form of tobacco product which results in death of several patients every year. If this continues, it will create serious health hazard to the people of Assam – not only of cancer but also cardio vascular diseases and chronic respiratory disease; even tuberculosis will increase,” Dr Kataki added.
Further, experts say that taking proactive measures cannot only be the prerogative of the district administration but massive large scale awareness is also required for tobacco control in which all conscientious citizens in the state will have to play an important role including the NGOs and other people working in various fields of public health.
The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA) which was enacted in 2003, prohibits sale of any tobacco products or cigarette to anyone below 18 years of age and in an area within a radius of 100 yards of any educational institution. It also prohibits smoking in public places.
In Assam, 25.3% of men, 0.8% of women and 13.3% of all adults currently smoke tobacco. 50.5% of men and 32.5% of women and 41.7% of all adults currently use smokeless tobacco. Additionally, the mean age at initiation of tobacco use has increased from 18.1 years in GATS1 to 18.5 years in GATS2.
“The ascent in tobacco consumption in Assam is an indicator that the government needs to strengthen tobacco control efforts and people need more awareness on the health and financial burden that tobacco use brings with it,” said advocate Ajoy Hazarika, secretary of Consumer Legal Protection Forum.
Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute officials had earlier met Governor Jagdish Mukhi and urged him to intensify tobacco control initiatives in the state. They have also appealed to the Governor to undertake an initiative to make all the education institutes of the state tobacco-free zones.
Sale of tobacco outside schools
At least 46% Guwahatians feel that minors have easy access to tobacco and alcohol in the city without any regulations to keep a check on this.
This was revealed during a month-long survey conducted by G Plus titled 'Let's Talk Guwahati' in which a sample size close to 10,000 citizens took part through an online as well as offline medium from different parts of the city.
On the other hand, only 29.4% respondents felt that there are some regulations put in place by the district authorities to check easy availability of tobacco and alcohol. Further, 23.8% respondents remained neutral and voted for the ‘can’t say’ option.
“There are plenty of stalls and roadside shops selling tobacco and gutka on the roads right outside schools and some older students can be seen buying these products,” said a parent of a class 6 student studying in a private school in Pan Bazar.
On the other hand, expressing her concern over the matter, chairperson of the Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR), Sunita Changkakoti, termed the issue as a “serious concern” and said that there is a need for proper monitoring to check the sale of pan masala and other tobacco products to minors.
She added that the ASCPCR conducts talks with school authorities in the city from time to time and flags this issue.