It is a well-established fact that almost 9 lakh people die in India annually due to tobacco consumption.The economic loss incurred by the nation amounts to almost 15,000 crore annually as a result of tobacco consumption.Considering the enormous deaths and the resultant loss in nation's productivity,reining in tobacco consumption has become a necessary imperative.
The government has also taken stock of the alarming situation and initiated several measures to control its consumption.A major chunk of tobacco consumers fall in the age group of 15-27 years,which doesn't bode well for the state of health in the country.Initially,the government banned the sale of tobacco within 100 meters away from the school premises.Though the step curtailed the easy accessibility of tobacco products for school-going children,it was still affordable for many of them,including the grown-ups.
In the fiscal year 2014-15,the government increased taxes on tobacco products,particularly cigarettes.Moreover,the government is willing to enforce stricter packaging norms in the days to come.Starting April 2015,almost 85 percent of the cigarette packets would mandatorily entail pictorial warnings.This would certainly serve as a deterrent for tobacco consumers.Also the prohibition of selling of loose cigarettes while increasing the minimum age limit from 18 to 21 years for buying cigarettes,as per the recent government guidelines,would do well to reduce its consumption.
However.one of the overlooked aspects is that there is relatively no restriction on the sale of bidis and chewing tobacco.These products are easily available across the small shops and stores. The poor people,both urban and rural,have unhindered access to these products which is a cause of concern. Bidis and chewing tobacco causes oral and lung cancer among the poor which is compounded by their inability to afford a well-to-do medical treatment.
Therefore,the government should strive towards initiating inclusive policies for tobacco control,including cigarettes,bidis and chewing tobacco.It should effectively resist the lobbying by the tobacco-manufacturing companies to derail the positive efforts towards health care.An all-inclusive policy measures accompanied by the political will would go a long way in ensuring proper health care towards its citizens.
The government has also taken stock of the alarming situation and initiated several measures to control its consumption.A major chunk of tobacco consumers fall in the age group of 15-27 years,which doesn't bode well for the state of health in the country.Initially,the government banned the sale of tobacco within 100 meters away from the school premises.Though the step curtailed the easy accessibility of tobacco products for school-going children,it was still affordable for many of them,including the grown-ups.In the fiscal year 2014-15,the government increased taxes on tobacco products,particularly cigarettes.Moreover,the government is willing to enforce stricter packaging norms in the days to come.Starting April 2015,almost 85 percent of the cigarette packets would mandatorily entail pictorial warnings.This would certainly serve as a deterrent for tobacco consumers.Also the prohibition of selling of loose cigarettes while increasing the minimum age limit from 18 to 21 years for buying cigarettes,as per the recent government guidelines,would do well to reduce its consumption.
However.one of the overlooked aspects is that there is relatively no restriction on the sale of bidis and chewing tobacco.These products are easily available across the small shops and stores. The poor people,both urban and rural,have unhindered access to these products which is a cause of concern. Bidis and chewing tobacco causes oral and lung cancer among the poor which is compounded by their inability to afford a well-to-do medical treatment.
Therefore,the government should strive towards initiating inclusive policies for tobacco control,including cigarettes,bidis and chewing tobacco.It should effectively resist the lobbying by the tobacco-manufacturing companies to derail the positive efforts towards health care.An all-inclusive policy measures accompanied by the political will would go a long way in ensuring proper health care towards its citizens.
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