Doctor's Opinion on No-Tobacco Day

Every year, May 31st is observed as ‘WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY’. It is an initiative by World Health Organisation (WHO) since 1987 to raise awareness among all stake holders about the global health crisis linked to tobacco consumption.

Tobacco can affect multiple organs of body and it is an important causative factor of cancer. Infact, cessation of Tobacco is the single most important preventive aspect of cancer. Both oral and inhaled form of tobacco consumption are strongly linked to causing cancer. Worldwide, approximately 25% of cancers are attributable to tobacco. In India, it is even higher with almost 35-40% of cancers being linked to tobacco use. Tobacco abuse is estimated to cause 5 lakh deaths annually in our country.

Chewable form of tobacco is related to cancers of oral cavity and upper digestive tract, inhaled tobacco is related to cancer of lung, esaphagus, stomach, pancreas, urinary bladder etc. As these patients usually have poor health due to other tobacco related comorbid condition like COPD, heart diseases ect., it is very difficult for them to tolerate most cancer treatments leading to poor survival.

Tobacco addiction can be addressed by both behavioural modification therapy as well as, medications like Nicotine patches, Bupropion etc. Stopping of tobacco decreases rise of subsequent cancer by 50%. A concerted effort by Government, public as well as tobacco companies are needed to address this menace.