Smoking capital of India
Just last week we observed the ‘World No Tobacco Day’ with much fanfare and loud commitments to get rid of tobacco use, and halt its ill impact on the health of the citizens here.
However, the ground reports and data suggests that mere observance of the day and loud shouts will not serve the purpose as Jammu and Kashmir is fast emerging as the most tobacco consuming regions across India. So much so, that the Union territory has earned the sobriquet of smoking capital of India.
Notably, Jammu and Kashmir is among the top six states and union territories in India with the highest prevalence of tobacco use. Reports say that more than 20 per cent of the population in the UT is engaged in one or the other form of tobacco consumption.
Smoking tobacco in the region stands at a prevalence rate of 20.8%. This ranks J&K sixth in the country, following Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. However, the use of smokeless tobacco is significantly lower in the region at just 4.3%, making it the second-lowest in the country after Himachal Pradesh.
According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS 2) data, 35.2% of men and 5.1% of women in J&K smoke tobacco, with an overall adult prevalence of 20.8%. In terms of smokeless tobacco, 6.8% of men and 1.5% of women—4.3% of all adults—are current users. Altogether, 39.7% of men and 6.2% of women—23.7% of all adults—either smoke or use smokeless tobacco.
Importantly, health experts warn that smokers and tobacco users are 2.5 times more likely to develop tuberculosis (TB), with tobacco use known to raise the risk of TB, cause recurrence, and impair treatment. Globally, tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable deaths, claiming over seven million lives annually, with more than one million deaths occurring in India alone.
Kashmir has also witnessed a rising trend in tobacco-related illnesses, particularly lung cancer, which is now the second most common form of cancer in the region. Data achieved from various health institutions and experts indicate that men are disproportionately affected, with a direct link between smoking duration, frequency, and the development of cancer.
Though the risk of cancer persists even after quitting, experts assure that the chances decrease significantly over time, making early cessation critical.
Interestingly, 50,000 cancer cases have been reported in J&K in the last few years, with lung cancer being the most prevalent. Alarmingly, 90 per cent of lung cancer cases are directly linked to smoking and use of tobacco in other forms.
Surprisingly, about 25 per cent of school-going adolescents in Kashmir are smokers, and nearly all drug addicts start their journey with cigarette smoking. This has been one of the key challenges that the government as well as the civil society here needs to tackle.
Though certain measures like ‘no tobacco zones’, and ban on sale of loose cigarettes has been implemented here, but on ground the tobacco use and its sale continues unabated with sale of the products witnessing an increase every year.
What is needed is a holistic approach to combat the tobacco epidemic. A multi-pronged approach in addition to strict regulations, initiating strong awareness campaigns at the school and community level, active involvement of parents and teachers in discouraging smoking habits and stricter enforcement against illegal and unregulated tobacco sales, needs to be stressed with sincerity and dedication.
