On the eve of independence day i sit down to write on an issue which is very common but Indian govt is not bothered to seriously tackle or curb it. WHO reported that 100 million people lost their life due to tobacco in 20th century [more than the two world wars....i guess now we understand the gravity of the situation !!! ]. It is going to increase in the coming century, with India expected to have the largest share of it .
We all know the list of diseases linked to tobacco ranging from cancer, heart attack,lung related, impotency, still births etc. However, it is not merely a health hazard. It also affects environment. Curing of raw tobacco leaf requires burning of wood fuel, leading to deforestation. Tobacco cultivation is water intensive, lots of pesticide is required and causes soil erosion. Now with millions of poor starving , do we really need to grow tobacco instead of food crops on those lands (given that land is a scarce material now) ??? It also diverts a lot of household savings which is supposed to be invested in health, education, food and other needs. Many argue that it is a source of employment in industry & agriculture and also raises revenue for government,but the costs the society has to bear exceeds these economic returns.
So what is to be done.At present there is no other alternative as a product for tobacco for human consumption. So the only way is effective regulatory measure to curb tobacco consumption. It is no big a task, we have countries like Australia, Brazil, Thailand, Bhutan as examples.India needs to take a leaf out of these successful stories. In 2003 WHO adopted a treaty known as FCTC (Framework Convention for Tobacco Control ). Along with India many countries have ratified it. Regulatory measure prescribed under it includes public ban of smoking, prohibition of advertisement and promotion of tobacco products, pictorial warning on the packs etc.
The recent ban on 'gutka' and commercials in movie theaters are a welcome step but much more needs to be done by the Indian govt.Other steps India needs to take to curb tobacco consumption are heavy taxing of tobacco products and using the revenue generated in developmental activities including providing alternative livelihood to the persons engaged in tobacco farming and manufacturing. Also sustained campaigning should be done on the lines of Polio eradication by involving celebrities as role models both through electronic and social media. The benefits of quitting tobacco must be spread through these role models.
Whether we are concerned about health, food security, water security or environment, there is no other option but to work towards tobacco - free society. Otherwise it will frustrate all the prospects of sustainable development.
We all know the list of diseases linked to tobacco ranging from cancer, heart attack,lung related, impotency, still births etc. However, it is not merely a health hazard. It also affects environment. Curing of raw tobacco leaf requires burning of wood fuel, leading to deforestation. Tobacco cultivation is water intensive, lots of pesticide is required and causes soil erosion. Now with millions of poor starving , do we really need to grow tobacco instead of food crops on those lands (given that land is a scarce material now) ??? It also diverts a lot of household savings which is supposed to be invested in health, education, food and other needs. Many argue that it is a source of employment in industry & agriculture and also raises revenue for government,but the costs the society has to bear exceeds these economic returns.
So what is to be done.At present there is no other alternative as a product for tobacco for human consumption. So the only way is effective regulatory measure to curb tobacco consumption. It is no big a task, we have countries like Australia, Brazil, Thailand, Bhutan as examples.India needs to take a leaf out of these successful stories. In 2003 WHO adopted a treaty known as FCTC (Framework Convention for Tobacco Control ). Along with India many countries have ratified it. Regulatory measure prescribed under it includes public ban of smoking, prohibition of advertisement and promotion of tobacco products, pictorial warning on the packs etc.
The recent ban on 'gutka' and commercials in movie theaters are a welcome step but much more needs to be done by the Indian govt.Other steps India needs to take to curb tobacco consumption are heavy taxing of tobacco products and using the revenue generated in developmental activities including providing alternative livelihood to the persons engaged in tobacco farming and manufacturing. Also sustained campaigning should be done on the lines of Polio eradication by involving celebrities as role models both through electronic and social media. The benefits of quitting tobacco must be spread through these role models.
Whether we are concerned about health, food security, water security or environment, there is no other option but to work towards tobacco - free society. Otherwise it will frustrate all the prospects of sustainable development.
Great Karthik.
ReplyDeletewell done. ur bringing out really very good topics and their points . I would more like to see u be the person solving all these ,means to be in that position. no doubt definitely u have all those qualities.