New Delhi, May 29 : In the year 1999, the country had spent Rs 27,761 crore for treatment of tobacco-related diseases whereas the Government of India earned Rs. 6,018 crore as Excise Duty form tobacco products in the same year. This was recently stated by Dr AC Kataki, director of Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute during a sensitization programme for journalists on the run up to the World No Tobacco Day on May 31.
He emphasised the need to have specific strategies for both tobacco control and tobacco cessation and stated that the need of the hour is Community Mobilization.
Dr Kataki further revealed that a group of patients undergoing treatment in BBCI on May 23 submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and office of the Health Minister demanding stronger tobacco control measures.
Dr Srabana Misra Bhagabaty, consultant, Preventive Oncology, BBCI gave a scientific presentation on Health Hazards of Tobacco where she mentioned that current user of smokeless tobacco is around 25.9 per cent, which is more than current adult tobacco smokers as per recent global adult Tobacco Survey Report of 2009-10.
She added that tobacco consumption was responsible for cancer, cardio-vascular diseases, stroke and chronic respiratory diseases. About 50-55 per cent of all cancers in men and 25 per cent of all cancers in women in Assam were tobacco related.
Jayanta Bhagabaty, noted actor from Assam and architect of the Hello Kalyani programme of Doordarshan made an appeal to the audience to refrain from the tobacco habits which has endangered the health of the society.
A highlight of the programme was an interactive session with the cancer patients undergoing treatment at the institute. They shared their agonizing experience of cancer resulting from long years of tobacco use. In a fervent appeal to the public and the Government, they urged for stronger implementation of National Tobacco Control Programme in India. Most of the patients suggested complete ban of all forms of tobacco products.
The BBCI has been carrying out various Tobacco and Cancer Control activities in Assam and all other NE States. In context to the World No Tobacco Day 2011, the institute has taken up various community based programme for awareness on health hazards of tobacco and tobacco cessation measures. Oral cancer screening camps as well as awareness camps at various schools and colleges in various parts of North East and awareness programme through electronic media have been done throughout the month.
On May 31, KC Das Commerce College will be declared as Tobacco Free with initiatives from college in collaboration with Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute. On the same day, a tobacco awareness programme will be conducted by experts from BBCI at Handique Girls College, Guwahati and IEC materials on Tobacco and Health Hazards will be displayed and distributed.
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