Hyderabad: Technology, which is advancing by leaps and bounds, is becoming the cause of fatal addictions too. Cheroot, Beedi, Cigar -- whatever might be the name -- all of them are adversely impacting the lives of young people.
On one hand, the government is trying to bring down tobacco consumption, which causes cancer, among other fatal diseases. While on the other hand, cigarette smoking is causing major challenges to the state of public health.
The central government is ready to pass an ordinance banning consumption, production, distribution, advertising and transportation of tobacco products including e-cigarettes. This is the health ministry’s crucial agenda on the occasion of the completion of 100 days of Modi’s second term.
According to the drafted copy of the bill, which was formulated to be passed in the Parliament's winter session; first-time offenders must pay a fine of Rs 1,00,000 or serve a jail sentence of 1 year. For second-time offenders, the punishment will be 3 years of jail sentence and a fine of Rs 5,00,000. For those who store cigarettes or tobacco products, 6 months of imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 50,000 will be meted out.
India stands second in terms of tobacco consumption with 27,00,00,000 consumers. On average, 12,00,000 people die in a year due to tobacco-related diseases.
Activists are urging the government to pass the ordinance quickly while industrialists warn against loss of livelihood for thousands of workers in the tobacco industry. Although the ordinance must be welcomed, given the adverse effects of Nicotine, it is advisable to combat the social evils of tobacco altogether.
Every year, tobacco silently kills around 70,00,000 people worldwide. Consumption of cigarettes, which contain 7,000 toxic substances besides Nicotine cause many types of cancer. Industry experts are arguing that e-cigarettes are 95% less dangerous than usual cigarettes and can help battle addiction among smokers. But the health experts are warning that even those who refrain from cigarettes are trying out e-cigarettes believing the “non-harmful” claims and in turn, getting addicted to cigarettes.
More than 460 domestic brands of e-cigarettes are adding 7,700 flavours to camouflage nicotine in their products. Indian Medical Association has published research papers revealing harmful ingredients in e-cigarettes and how nicotine is a main ingredient albeit in a different form. Since there is no provision to ban e-cigarette under Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, the government has brought it under Drugs and Cosmetics Act. It is yet to be seen how the government will control the consumption of e-cigarettes online.
The International Health Conference of 2003 has suggested member countries to restrict or prohibit the usage of e-cigarettes. India has decided to take strict actions against tobacco consumption. It is not advisable to pay heed to countries like Britain and New Zealand, who encourage e-cigarettes as a safe alternative to tobacco. It must be remembered that countries like Brazil, Norway and Singapore have banned them.
Last year, worldwide e-cigarette market was valued at USD 10,261.8 million while it is estimated to grow at 24 per cent compound annual rate by 2024. Given the rise in awareness among consumers about the ill effects of tobacco, major industry players in tobacco are releasing e-cigarettes as an attractive alternative.
Even the American government is seriously considering the ban of tobacco as it was the reason for lung cancers among 450 citizens across 33 states in the last few years. Even though tobacco is ringing alarm bells against social welfare, why is the Indian government lax in implementing a ban?
The process must start with creating awareness among 60,00,000 tobacco farmers in India. They must be given incentives to move towards the cultivation of other commercial crops. The government must act towards creating alternative livelihoods for workers in tobacco-related industries. Government and citizens must play an active role in dispersing the toxic fumes of tobacco. That is the need of the hour.
Read: Cabinet bans e-cigarettes; Rs 1 lakh penalty, imprisonment for first offence
