Need to control the tobacco epidemic
Just yesterday we observed the ‘no smoking day’. 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 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.
Tobacco use has quietly become one of the most serious public health challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir. Despite awareness campaigns, government regulations, and warnings printed on every packet, tobacco consumption continues to rise across the region. From bustling city streets to quiet villages, smoking and other forms of tobacco use have become deeply embedded in daily life — cutting across class, gender, and age.
The national health survey place Jammu and Kashmir among the states and union territories with the highest rates of tobacco consumption in India. The latest data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-2) and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) show that 23.7 percent of adults in the region use some form of tobacco. Of these, 20.8 percent are active smokers, while 4.3 percent consume smokeless forms such as gutkha or snuff. These figures point to a worrying trend that shows little sign of slowing down.
The gender gap in tobacco use is substantial but telling. Nearly 35 percent of men in Jammu and Kashmir are smokers, compared with just 5 percent of women. While female smoking remains relatively uncommon, changing lifestyles and urban influences could shift this pattern in the future.
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.
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.
