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| 'No Smoke' up in smoke; menace continues unabated, health threat looms large | | |
MISHU GUPTA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, May 31: The whole world today observed 'World No Tobacco Day' with thrust everywhere on awareness about the ill effects of the menace. But the day people here in Jammu city was observed in breach of the spirit as people were seen smoking cigarettes and 'beedies' at all public places in utter disregard of the ban that has been imposed by the government.
This day is specifically observed to end the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and its negative health effects. The objective is to reduce the death rates caused due to tobacco related health problems.
This only reflects that ban on smoking in public places is not yet strictly enforced in Jammu as many people could easily be seen openly violating it. Be it the busy markets like Raghunath bazaar, Parade market, Bus stand or any state government office in Jammu city, people openly flout rules, without the threat of being caught or fined.
The fact also remains that three years after the implementation of the Anti-Smoking Act, the law continues to remain on papers as it is being violated with impunity.
People continue to release toxic fumes as the Act goes up in smoke at all public places in the city, including the bus stand, railway station, cinemas, markets and various offices. The enforcement agencies prefer to keep mum.
In the absence of the enforcement of the Act, the kiosks selling cigarettes, pan masala, gutka and other tobacco products are brazenly and fearlessly doing business in close proximity of schools and other educational institutes. One can see all most of these shops near most of the educational institutes
Although the kiosks have put up the boards 'Non-Smoking Area' or 'No sale of cigarettes for minors here', made mandatory under the Act, the directive is not followed in letter and spirit. Ironically at some places, children run such shops and continue selling the products to children. It has become a common sight to see the minors buying the stuff from kiosks.
Under the new Act, smoking is banned in public places but one can see people making rings of smoke on roads, railway station, bus stand, parks and markets. The law requires that no shop or kiosk selling cigarettes, gutka or any other drugs should be allowed to operate within a distance of 100 metres from the school and colleges.
The ban on smoking at public places is restricted by the order passed in the Supreme Court. A notification in this regard was also issued by the Union Health Ministry.
"Despite the ban, people smoke fearlessly in public places and at bus stops. The law should be strictly enforced," said Ritu Mahajan, a student.
"By smoking a cigarette, a person loses five minutes from his precious life but despite knowing this, they prefer to smoke," said Monika Sharma, a college student.
A municipal corporation officer on the conditions of anonymity said: "Many employees in the municipal corporation openly violate the ban." The scene is no different in the police stations. "People smoke in police stations and offices," a police officer admitted.
Watch out for complications
Heavy smoking can lead to oral cancer, cancer in the larynx or respiratory track.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), considered to be the fourth largest killer disease in the world, is again caused due to excessive tobacco consumption.
Most smokers tend to suffer from asthma at some stage in their lives.
Smoking can also cause gastrointestinal diseases as it increases the amount of acid formed in the stomach, which in turn may cause a peptic ulcer.
Sleeping disorders, bad breathe, dizziness, coughing, burning of eyes, high risk of fractures and sore throat are some other ill-effects of smoking .
Doctors say passive smokers too can develop such ailments. Children exposed to heavy smoking are also prone to developing behavioural problems.
It is responsible for 5 million deaths worldwide due to tobacco-related illness.
Tobacco is the second major cause of death in world.
Every eight seconds someone dies of tobacco use.
Tobacco kills 1 million Indians in a year. This figure represents more deaths than from AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, murders, suicides, drugs and fire combined.
Around 2,700 Indians die daily due to tobacco use.
Passive or second-hand smoking is the third leading cause of death in the USA after active smoking and alcohol abuse.
It takes more than 3 hours to remove 95% of the smoke from one cigarette from a room once smoking has ended.
70% of teenagers who smoke regret they started, 64% have tried to quit.
One ingredient in cigarette is carbon monoxide, as in car exhaust. Other chemicals in cigarette includes ammonia, used to clean toilets and floors and arsenic, rat poison.
Everyday 3000 Indian teenagers become smokers.
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