It is estimated that more than 10,00,000 people die each year due to tobacco use in India
world over 60,00,000 people die annually due to tobacco use
Opinion Poll
Discussion/Working Papers
News Analysis - India: Point of Sale Graphic Warnings
After years of trying to wreck South Africa’s tobacco control legislation, British American Tobacco (BAT) has almost reached the end of the road. On 20 June,the country’s supreme court dismissed an appeal from BAT’s South African subsidiary,Batsa, against the judgement of a lower court which had ruled that the country’s tobacco advertising ban was constitutional. South Africa banned tobacco advertising in 1999 by an amendment to the Tobacco Products Control Act of 1993. However, cigarette companies claimed there was a loophole that allowed them to continue advertising via social media and direct-promotions: in industry language, to communicate ‘accurate and truthful’ information on a one-to-one basis with adult smokers. Strategies included ‘cigarette parties’ and viral or ‘buzz’ marketing; particularly effective in reaching children and adolescents. More.....
Impact of Tobacco on Health of Women
The latest release on prevalence of tobacco use amongst adults in India (GATS- Global Adult Tobacco Survey, India; October 2010) has reported that ~20% women currently use tobacco with women smokers accounting for ~3% and women tobacco chewers ~18%. What is more worrisome is a reduction in the boy-girl ratio with 25% girls initiating tobacco use before 15 years of age.
India aims to reduce tobacco production by 33%
India is the second largest consumer and third largest producer of tobacco in the world. Yet, the Agriculture Ministry is planning to reduce tobacco production in the country as a part of Indian Government's obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
Tobacco & Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)
WHO reported that in 2004 alone, 29% of deaths (17.1 million) were due to CVDs. Of these, 7.2 million (~41%) were due to coronary artery disease (CAD) and 5.7 million (~33%) were due to stroke. The fact that 80% of these were from low- and middle- income countries is a significant concern. By 2030, with a predicted increase by ~38% (23.6 million from 17.1 million), South East Asia will be the worst affected region; the poorest being affected the most. Deaths in India due to CVDs in 2000- 2030 in the age group of 35 - 64 years will surpass many western countries and China.
Poem: Kaise lagayenge kayas dil ke dard ka - Huliya dekhkar (Hindi)
A Poem by......
Shridhar Dwivedi
Department of Medicine/Preventive Cardiology, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research,
Associated Hakeem Abdul Hameed Centenary Hospital, Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University),
New Delhi - 110 062, India.
E-mail:
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Poem: Choice is simply yours - Physician’s perception
A poem by
Shridhar Dwivedi
Department of Medicine/Preventive Cardiology, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research,
Associated Hakeem Abdul Hameed Centenary Hospital, Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University),
New Delhi - 110 062, India.
E-mail:
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Public Policies and the Tobacco Industry
The paper attempts to draw attention to potential conflict of interest for governments and argue for (1) change in Indian Tobacco Board's mandate; and (2) need for code of conduct for public officials in order to avoid tobacco industry's influence on public policies.