Delhi observed Dry Day for Tobacco

The entire capital observed Dry Day for Tobacco on World No Tobacco Day 2012 on Thursday, 31st May 2012. All the tobacco shops remained closed for the whole day. A special function was organised by Delhi government at Dilli Haat, Pitampura yesterday to bring awareness about the ill effects of tobacco use among the common people. Honourable Health Minister, Delhi Dr. A.K. Walia, inaugurated the function and the major parts of visitors were the vendors, sellers and the general public.

During his address in the function Mr. Walia said that consumption of tobacco in India causes around 9 lakh deaths per year and major health problems. Every day around 3000 persons die due to tobacco consumption in India. Tobacco use leads to many health problems such as lung disease heath disease, asthma, sudden infant death syndrome, childhood respiratory disease, chronic cough, TB and many more.

Talking about the initiatives of Delhi government against the use of tobacco products, he said, Delhi government is quite serious in this regard and enforcing strict provisions against tobacco use under the Delhi Prohibition of Smoking and Non Smokers Health Protection Act, 1996 and Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 to make the capital a smoke free zone. The state has 8 fully functional raiding squads making inspections and acting promptly on receipt of complaints on regular basis. During the year 2010-12, the raiding squads visited 230414 places and around 31000 persons including 41 females were fined for violation. In addition to that, an amount of Rs. 27 lakh was collected as fine. The results of the initiatives have been remarkable.

Dr. Walia also flagged of a motorcycle rally to spread the message of anti smoking in the locality.

The function highlighted some of the facts and figures about tobacco consumption such as:

• 50% of the total tobacco users in any form will die from tobacco related diseases.
• Every year 8-9 lakhs people die due to tobacco use, even more than TB, malaria, HIV and AIDS.
• The total cost of tobacco related heart, cancer and lungs diseases is Rs. 30,800 crores
• For the manufacture of 300 cigarettes, wood of a complete tree is required.
• Passive smoking is equally dangerous.

In addition to that, there are many serious health problems that are related to tobacco consumption and are a matter of prime concern. In India, there are over 250 million tobacco users and smokers which is likely to grow up to 2.5 million people a year by 2025 which is quite alarming. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7000 harmful chemical substances of which Nicotine is the most addictive substance in the world and is the 2nd major reason for death, disease and disability.