AZARA, (Guwahati), 19 August — The passive smoker in the public place is equally affected as the active smoker, say US researchers. In the study on the hazards of smoking in public place a report of the Surgeon General of the US Health Department and Human Services 2004 has come up with an alarming data which says “smoking causes an estimated 90% of all lung cancer deaths in men and 80% of all lung cancer deaths in women.The Indian Tobacco Control Act 2003 (Section 4) prohibits (penalizes) public consumption of tobacco products.
“It is a habit that we cannot quit,it makes me feel relaxed when I am stress” say group of students who were smoking at the nearby shop selling tobacco at the university gate.
The community people are of the opinion that “the tobacco act regulation must be strictly implemented.” Others are of the view that “in between their working hours consumption of tobacco is like a refreshment for us “
Around 14% of Indian adults smoke cigarette and beedis (hand-rolled cigarettes), but nearly 26% use smokeless tobacco including chewing tobacco, according to the Government of India and World Health Organisation Global Adult Tobacco Survey of 2009.
Children are as young as 12 when first exposed to gutkha and pan masala …not knowing that tobacco consumption causes lung, throat and mouth cancer. Though a large population of Indian suffered from these diseases but the Government did not take serious action to ban the tobacco producing company. As a result we see different type of tobacco products coming out day by day at a very cheaper rate in which everybody can afford to buy them.
Assam Don Bosco University 