Smoking rates down among Indian men, up among women

The fifth edition of Tobacco Atlas has revealed that smoking rates have marginally gone down among Indian men between 2009-10—as per Global Adult Tobacco Survey figures—and 2013, but there has been an almost proportionate increase in the number of women smokers.

The Atlas, which was unveiled on sidelines of the 16th World Conference on Tobacco or Health, details the scale of what it calls “tobacco epidemic”, track its harmful effects on health, poverty, social justice and environment, the progress being made on tobacco control and machinations of the industry to counter those measures. It has been brought out by World Lung Foundation and American Cancer Society.

Using 2013 figures, the Atlas estimates that about 23.2 per cent of adult males in India smoke.

The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) fact sheet for India for 2009-10 estimated 24.3 per cent of Indian males smoked. The female smoking rates as estimated by the Tobacco Atlas is 3.2 per cent, marginally higher than the GATS figure of 2.9 per cent. The Atlas estimated that 25.9 per cent of Indian adults— roughly one in every four— use smokeless tobacco.

India’s tobacco control initiatives and the move to ban gutkha have been praised, but the Atlas, by admission of its authors, does not make an accurate estimate of the smokeless tobacco problem in the country because of lack of authentic data.

The trend of increase in female smoking rates, meanwhile, is a global one with some rare exceptions like Japan where rates have stayed constant over the years. The Atlas estimates that lung cancer is now killing more women than breast cancer and smoking rates are particularly increasing among young girls in many countries.

The Atlas said that according to the WHO, with $5 per person per year, India will be able to pay for the four best buys in tobacco control policy—raising tobacco excise taxes, enforcing a comprehensive national smoke-free law, a ban on tobacco advertising and promotion and mandating large graphic warning labels appear on tobacco product packaging. “This small investment will reap enormous dividends in health and prosperity,” it said.

To download India fact sheet, click here

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Exposure to ads & smoking in films led to increase in smoking among adolescents: Union Health Minister

Various studies conducted over the past decade on advertising, marketing and depiction in Bollywood films has had a significant effect on adolescents taking to use of tobacco.

Hon'ble Health Minister JP Nadda cited various studies in Parliament that show increase of tobacco use among adolescents aged between 12 to 16 years not only because of Bollywood films, but also because of advertisements of tobacco products on cricket grounds during important series between India and other countries.

A study done between 2009 and 2012 showed that 59 movies contained 412 tobacco use occurrences. The prevalence of ever tobacco use among adolescents was 5.3 per cent. Compared with low-exposure adolescents, the adjusted odds of ever tobacco use among high-exposure adolescents and being receptive to tobacco promotions was also associated with higher adjusted odds of ever tobacco use.

A cross-sectional sample of 3956 adolescents (eighth and ninth grades, ages 12–16 years) from 12 randomly selected New Delhi schools were taken for the survey, assessing tobacco use status, receptivity to tobacco promotions (based on owning or being willing to wear tobacco-branded merchandise) and exposure to tobacco use in movies.

A 10-city survey of over 9,000 students between the ages of 13 and 17 showed that after seeing the Wills World cup Cricket Series, 13 per cent felt a desire to smoke. The survey also showed that 72 per cent thought that there was at least one smoker on the Indian cricket team, which played in the 1996 World Cup.

A previous study published in the British Medical Journal, showed similar results. It concluded that cigarette company sponsorship of the India-New Zealand cricket series in 1995 had a significant impact on kids, who watched it on television. The advertising created the impression among the 1,948 children aged 13-16 years, who participated in the survey, that “smoking gives more strength, improves batting and fielding and ultimately increases the chance of winning.”

There are independent studies that have been conducted to determine the impact of advertising and promotion of tobacco products on the consumption of these products by Indians, the Minister said. Evidence suggests that exposure to promotional activities for tobacco leads to initiation and progression of tobacco use. Research also corroborates that exposure to tobacco advertisements and receptivity to tobacco marketing are significantly related to increased tobacco use among students.

Shri Nadda also quoted other studies related to advertising of tobacco products and said that according to the Report of the Tobacco Control in India (2004), tobacco advertising, in direct or indirect form, boosts consumption.

Section 5 of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA, 2003), prohibits all direct and indirect advertisements of the tobacco products. The prohibition also extends to any activity that promotes the use or consumption of cigarettes or any other tobacco products.

The advertisement of Pan Masala is regulated by Section 30 of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which states that every package of Pan Masala and advertisement relating thereto, shall carry the warning, “Chewing of Pan Masala is injurious to health.” 

Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations 2011 issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 by the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), lays down that tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in any food products. Therefore, Gutkha is a prohibited product under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations 2011 under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and hence its advertisement is also prohibited.

Courtesy: Indian Television

Image courtesy: NewsHimachal

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Music composer M Jayachandran launches #LivesBachaoSizeBadhao

Close on the heels of ace cricketer Rahul Dravid coming in favour of larger graphic health warning on tobacco products, Kerala’s well-known music composer, singer, and musician M Jayachandran has also publicly endorsed this cause. 

The musician behind many a hits launched the online petition campaign #LivesBachaoSizeBadhao in Kerala on ‘No Smoking Day’ today and signed it live before the media and tobacco control advocates, signalling the need for mass public support. 

The online petition appeals to the Hon’ble Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Shri JP Nadda on behalf of 27-year-old tobacco-induced oral cancer victim Sunita to implement larger picture warnings on tobacco products. The campaign mounted on change.org is available at http://chn.ge/1Dy6Q

Likening tobacco control efforts to music of goodness and health, Shri Jayachandran, in his post-launch interaction said, “The increased use of cigarettes and tobacco products among youth is worrying. Starting with cigarettes and tobacco, youngsters are soon lured into use of drugs. The society has an obligation to protect younger generation from the use of tobacco products.” 

Shri Jayachandran also expressed solidarity and strong support to the movement for a tobacco-free Kerala. 

Dr Paul Sebastian, Director, Regional Cancer Centre and Vice Chairman of Tobacco Free Kerala, which is driving this campaign in the state said, “The online campaign is an extension of on-the-ground campaign in which over 900 signatures were amassed from a cross-section of society across all 14 districts in just two weeks. Pictorial warnings are a cost-effective means to communicate the harms of tobacco use. It has been demonstrated that picture health warnings are more effective than text-only warnings; it effectiveness increases with the size of pictorial warnings.”

Dr Sebastian also acknowledged and thanked the support of medical community and management of Regional Cancer Centre here; Malabar Cancer Centre, Kannur and Baby Memorial Hospital, Kozhikode, officers and staff of HLL Lifecare Limited, Trivandrum besides teachers, students, media representatives and the public for wholeheartedly participating in the campaign to bring down tobacco use in our state and country.

Dr PG Balagopal, Addl. Professor, RCC said, “Nearly a quarter of Kerala’s adult population use tobacco in any form, potentially increasing their risk to life-threatening diseases including cancers, heart attacks, and stroke. Large pictorial warning on tobacco product packs will inform and prevent prospective customers – children and youth – from initiating and getting addicted to tobacco use.”

Sharing his travails, tobacco-induced oral cancer victim Retd. Circle Inspector Shri M Hussain Kunju said, “I started cigarette smoking at the 17. By the time I was 35, I was afflicted with tongue cancer for which I have been under protracted treatment at Regional Cancer Centre.” He also appealed all to keep away from this dangerous habit and participate in the online campaign to register their support for larger pack warnings.

On 15 October 2014, the Government of India brought a notification requiring tobacco-manufacturing companies to devote at least 85 per cent of the surface areas of all tobacco products packages on both sides for text and picture depiction of the statutory warning, ‘Tobacco Kills’ and ‘Smoking Kills’. 

Cricketer Rahul Dravid has applauded the Government of India for mandating 85% pictorial health warnings on tobacco product packages. This has elevated India from 136th position in the Global Cigarette Package Health Warnings Ranking to second place. 

Shri S Jayaraj, State Coordinator, Tobacco Free Kerala also spoke. 

To sign the petition, click here

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Tobacco Free Kerala condoles demise of Speaker

Tobacco Free Kerala condoles the passing away of Hon'ble Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly Shri G Karthikeyan. 

A tobacco control enthusiast, the Speaker had taken pains to understand and share the grief of tobacco-induced cancer victims during an interaction with them on 20 May 2014. 

He had called for more proactive interventions to bring down tobacco use in the state and assured all support for bringing down the disease burden due to tobacco use in Kerala.

Shri Karthikeyan, 66, died on 7 March in a hospital in Bangalore, where he was undergoing treatment for liver cancer. 

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