Punjab govt initiates crusade to eradicate use of tobacco to save children, youth

Chandigarh, December 7: Use of tobacco, liquor and drugs heavily in Punjab has adversely affected the future of youth in the state. Therefore, Punjab government is taking stringent action to wipe the menace of drugs, tobacco and liquor from the state. Notably, under the leadership of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Punjab Government has initiated a crusade to eradicate tobacco use to save children and youth across the State.

 

State Health Minister Brahm Mohindra said that the Health Department has been passionately pursuing the agenda to bring down tobacco consumption in Punjab. He said that 10 Tobacco Cessation centers have been opened in the districts of Punjab from 1st December 2017. He also said that free tobacco cessation services are being provided to the patients who want to quit the Tobacco use.

Importantly, Tobacco Control Cell and Tobacco Cessation centers have been set up in districts Amritsar, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Patiala, SAS Nagar, Sangrur and Sri Muktsar Sahib. However, all the districts of Punjab have been declared as 'Tobacco Smoke Free' (TSF) on the basis of compliance study by PGIMER. Centers Free Tobacco cessation provides services like counseling and medications to the tobacco users.

Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, Varun Roojam said that strict action will be initiated against those selling Flavored/Scented tobacco. “As Punjab has banned the sale and distribution of Flavored/scented chewable tobacco in the state,” he said. He further added that vendors, who were indulged in the sale of e-cigarettes and ‘Hookah Bars’ have also been on the radar of health authorities.

Interestingly, in India 3500 people and in Punjab 80 people die every day because of tobacco consumption and tobacco is responsible for approximately 90% of oral cancers. Tobacco is the most important preventable risk factor for all non-communicable diseases including cancer, hypertension, heart diseases, Lung diseases and stroke etc.

Dr. Areet Kaur, SPO, NTCP said that Punjab is nationally and internationally known for its good practices in tobacco control. With the reduction in the prevalence of Tobacco in males by 14.6% as per NFHS – 4 data, we are now aiming to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use further.