Slide in tobacco consumption
Tobacco use and its ill effects have been known for decades now. However, the menace still continues to haunt various nations across the globe as young adults are falling prey to its use.
However, a recent report by the WHO countries like Bangladesh, India and Nepal are on track to achieve at least a 30 per cent relative reduction in tobacco use by the end of this year.
Not only the above mentioned nations six other countries — Bhutan, DPR Korea, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand — are projected to see smaller declines.
The WHO South-East Asia Region has made the fastest progress globally in reducing tobacco use, according to the latest ‘WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000-2024 and projections 2025-2030’.
Yet, with more than 322 million adults and 8.6 million adolescents in the region still using tobacco, stronger policies, higher taxes, expanded cessation services and regulation of new nicotine products are urgently needed to protect people’s health.
Tobacco use in India is a significant public health concern. Approximately 243.48 million people in India use tobacco, with 267 million adults (29% of the population) using tobacco products.
Ironically, the most prevalent form of tobacco use is smokeless tobacco, with products like khaini, gutkha, and betel quid being commonly used.
Another menace like the smoking forms of tobacco, such as bidis, cigarettes, and hookahs, are also widely used which not only harm the user but makes other also affected as they inhale the smoke passively. .
Notably, the cuntries of South-East Asia have shown what can be achieved with strong political commitment, comprehensive policies and community engagement as the latest trends showed the region already achieved the global target of 30 per cent reduction in tobacco use by 2021, four years ahead of schedule.
Notably, tobacco use remains one of the leading preventable causes of disease, disability and death in many parts of the world. It is a prerequisite that governments must continue to implement comprehensive tobacco control measures based on the evidence-based policies advocated by WHO FCTC (Framework Convention on Tobacco Control) and the MPOWER package, including closing regulatory gaps, and preventing children and adolescents from being initiated into nicotine use.
The fight against tobacco has to be started in most of the regions with a new vigour and plan. Those at a young age need to be targeted and made aware about its ill effects so that they avoid its use once they get free access to tobacco or its related products.
