Jammu, May 31: The National Tobacco Control Programme advisor Dr Naresh Purohit today said that about 40 percent of cancer cases occur due to consumption of tobacco products in J&K and a total ban on tobacco products would prevent people from getting or dying from cancer.
On the Eve of World No Tobacco Day, renowned Epidemiologist Dr Purohit, as per the handout issued here, addressing a gathering of medical experts and nursing staff at a seminar organised by the Mumbai based Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital, presented his scientific report titled ” When Life Goes Up In Smoke ” in the seminar.
He averred that Jammu and Kashmir has the highest number of people who smoke and the UT has the highest number of passive smokers.
Voicing his concern he said that according to a recent ICMR survey report 26.6 percent population in J&K is using tobacco product in one or the other form. “The average age at initiation of tobacco use is 17 years. The highest proportion of adults 69.7% is exposed to tobacco smoke at home. 67% of adults are exposed to smoke at workplaces and 35% of adults are exposed to tobacco smoke in public places,” he added.
He stated that the prime reason for increased use of tobacco in Kashmir is its social acceptance.
“J&K has witnessed over 26,000 cases of cancer in last five years with lung cancer being the most prevalent due to high rates of smoking. After lung cancer, food-pipe, stomach and colon are the other types of cancer that have been found to have high prevalence.” he pointed.
He revealed that not only does smoking cause cancer, it also increases the risk of dying from heart attack and stroke. As per WHO, tobacco kills around six million people each year. More than five million of these deaths are the result of direct tobacco use and around six lakh are due to non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.
Experts informed that smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, and also increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, bladder, pancreas, kidney, and more. It also lowers fertility in both men and women and raises the risk of pregnancy complications, birth defects, and stillbirths.–(UNI)
