Smokeless tobacco
products which are being marketed in India contains about 3095 chemical
components which have serious health implications with about 28 of these
components being carcinogenic. Areca nut is the most commonly used carcinogen. Latest
studies have demonstrated the presence of heavy metals like nickel, lead,
cadmium, chromium and arsenic in these products. Studies have revealed abundant
presence of Tobacco-specific N-Nitrosamines (TSNA) and even radioactive
polonium in smokeless forms of tobacco products. There is no safe level for
TSNA's. There is an increased risk of cancer mortality and death due to
cardiovascular diseases in smokeless tobacco users.
30% gutkha
brands that are available in the market exceed the provisional tolerable intake
limits of lead and copper stated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the
Food and Agriculture Office (FAO). The Union Health Ministry is in a discussion
with the Agriculture Ministry to persuade the tobacco cultivators to grow some
other crops.
The Government has agreed that pictorial warnings of lung X-ray or the scorpion on the sachets of these products have not been successful in arresting the use of tobacco among people as many do not understand the meaning of these pictorial depictions. The Ministry feels that there is a need for regulation on the production and sale of these products as increasing number of youngsters and women are beginning to use them and many of the users are daily users (21.4%). Government officials have also stated that it is of no use to ban tobacco products in one state. The ban should be on a nationwide basis.
Smoking among Women
Tobacco use in women is on the rise. The health risks of tobacco are far too many has never done a woman any good psychologically or health-wise.
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Quiz on Smoking
Approximately half the smokers die due to smoking -related diseases. But it is not just the smokers who are at the receiving end. The passive smokers too, often pay a heavy price. If you still have not 'kicked the butt', learn more horrifying facts about smoking by participating in the following quiz.
