Bengaluru: Despite strong laws, tobacco consumption is hugely prevalent among youngsters and working professionals in the city, taking a heavy toll on their health, with rise in cases of respiratory diseases and cancer. Though Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COPTA) has been in place for years, some shops violate the rule by selling tobacco products within the 100 yards of educational institutions.
World Health Organisation (WHO) has marked May 31 as ‘World No Tobacco Day’, to highlight the illicit trade of tobacco products and its global impact on issues such as health, legal, economic, governance and corruption as well.
A recent report by Indus Health Plus on smoking habits among Bengalureans points out that 14 per cent of young people consume smoke or smokeless tobacco and 50% of them admit that they started under the influence of peers. Only 10-15 per cent said that they started under family influence.
“The numbers of cancer cases are rising in the age group between 20 and 30,. This is because these youngsters start smoking at a tender age of 10-18. Tobacco companies target this age group as they are more likely to get addicted,” said Dr Vishal Rao, Consultant, Head and Neck surgery, HCG Cancer Care. He is favour of banning sale of loose cigarettes.
“Youngsters will find it difficult to afford these products if sold only as packets. Their parents in home and teachers in school will be able to monitor better, as loose cigarettes are easy to hide and use,” he added.
“In Karnataka, smoking alone kills many annually and leaves thousands suffering with chronic ailments such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. It has become extremely important for individuals to make an effort towards kicking the habit,” said Dr G.G. Shetty a city-based Cardiologist.
City health experts feel that health warnings are important and loose sale should be curbed. “There is an increasing trend in cancer patients, particularly those between the age bracket of 20 and 30 years, and hence it is increasingly important to stop illicit trade of tobacco products,” said Dr Vishal.
