Harmful effects of addictive substances explained

In a three-part dialogue drama on the harmful effects of addictive substances such as tobacco products and alcohol have been explained the fun way. In this narrative, tobacco has been termed as the emperor of the world of drugs!

In interesting exchanges between Madhya Simhan (Alcohol King), Pukayila Simhan (Tobacco King) and Ganja Simhan (Ganja King), the writer K.J.Suresh Ranni has eloquently and humoursly brought out the dangerous influence of drugs. 

Kudos to Malayala Manorama for publishing this story amidst growing concern on the increasing prevalence of drugs amongst the youth.

30 April 2012 - Part 1

3 May 2012 - Part II

7 May 2012 - Part III

Courtesy: Malayala Manorama

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SHS may hinder quit attempts

Second-hand smoke (SHS) is not only harmful for health, it also hinders attempts at quitting the dangersome smoking habit, a recent study has shown. 


The study published in the latest issue of the reputed Nicotine and Tobacco Research journal shows that any SHS exposure at home was associated with 28%  and 53% lower odds of quit attempts and smoking cessation, respectively. 


Of 4,361 students who had smoked in the past 12 months, 70.3% were living with smokers and 52.8% were exposed to SHS at home. 


Researchers of the University of Hong Kong covered students from 85 randomly selected secondary schools in Hong Kong to understand the associations of smoking family and second-hand smoke exposure to home with quit and smoking cessation attempts among adolescents. 


The students were surveyed using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire on SHS exposure at home and outside the home in the past seven days, quit attempts, smoking cessation, socio-demographic and smoking status of family members and peers. 


Image courtesy: Wikipedia

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Killer Lifeline

Tobacco has been touted as the lifeline for a sizeable chunk of India's population, particularly rural women, tribals and other weaker sections of society. The website of Central Tobacco Research Institute (CTRI) puts the number of people directly or indirectly involved in tobacco industry to 36 million - including farmers, processing agents, marketers and exporters.


But the blatant irony of labelling tobacco as a lifeline of people is hard to miss. This purported lifeline, in fact, snatches away the lives of hundreds and thousands of Indians each year. 

A recent nationwide study on smoking and mortality in India estimated that cigarette and bidi smoking causes about 5 per cent of all deaths in women and 20 per cent of all deaths in men aged 30-69 years, totalling one million deaths per year in India in 2010. 


This alarming emerges from a study of smokers - cigarette and bidi  - only. However there are several other ways in which Indians use tobacco. 


The FAQ section of CTRI boasts that 93 varieties including FCV (29), Burley (3), Natu (5), Lanka (2), Chewing (17), Bidi (15), Cheroot (3), Cigar (4), Hookah & chewing (15) types have been released for farming community. 


Wonder what would be the mortality rates if all forms of tobacco users were to be studied - surely, would be an alarming proposition. 


And, are we re-defining 'lifeline'?


Image courtesy: Tobacco Facts

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