State Level Workshop for Sensitization Of Stakeholders to Support Tobacco Vendor Licensing Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh

State Level Workshop for Sensitization Of Stakeholders to Support Tobacco Vendor Licensing Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh

by | Mar 8, 2019 | Tobacco

State Level Workshop for Sensitization Of Stakeholders to Support Tobacco Vendor Licensing Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh

The Consumer Guidance Society, Vijayawada in with  support from Consumer VOICE, New Delhi organised a state level workshop on tobacco control Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh on January 29, 2019. The main objective of the workshop was sensitization of stakeholders on tobacco control measures in Andhra Pradesh through vendor licensing.The workshop was formally inaugurated by Dr. P.V.V.S. Murthy, Hon’rary President, The Federation of A.P. Consumer Organisations and Dr. T. Geeta Prasadini, Addl. Director, DPH &FW and Nodal Officer, NTCP and NOHP.

Dr. Ch. Divakar Babu, Secretary, Consumers Guidance Society in his introductory remarks has explained in brief about the overview of Tobacco Control in the State of Andhra Pradesh.  He stated that though the total per cent of people consuming tobacco and other allied products has come down from 28 per cent to 20 per cent but it is worrisome to notice that younger generation is being lured by tobacco manufacturers by their novel and deceptive surrogate ads and techniques and which needs to be curbed at the earliest.

Sri Amarjeet Singh Panghal, Advisor, Legal had made a power point presentation about the key findings of the study on Tobacco Vendors in the state.  He expressed his concern over lax enforcement of COTPA due to multifarious reasons, which include lack of awareness among stakeholders, deceptive novel methods adopted by tobacco manufacturing companies to lure especially younger generation into consuming their products , lack of co-ordination in between enforcement agencies and want of any licensing regime for sale of Tobacco and allied products. Hence, he strongly advocated for compulsory license of tobacco vendors.

The key findings of survey are:

  • The density of tobacco vendors is too high in both commercial and residential areas and there is no record available of tobacco vendors. We found 381 tobacco vendors in 6 wards/areas of 3 cities of Andhra Pradesh namely Tirupati, Vijaywada and Vishakhapatnam.
  • Tobacco vendors are violating COTPA.
  • Mandatory warning display board was not found in 82 % point of sale.
  • Tobacco products are displayed openly in 61% cases.
  • Sale of loose cigarettes is rampant 98%, which frustrate purpose of pictorial warning at package.
  • 89 % tobacco vendors were found Selling candy, chips etc. the products meant for and to attract children/youth to tobacco shops.

The inaugural session was followed by two panel discussions.  The first panel discussion was on the role of media in tobacco control.   M. Syam Sundar, Bureau chief, Hans India in his speech expressed his firm opinion that print and electronic media has a monumental role to play in promoting health and welfare of people.  Hence, he opined that media should disseminate authentic information about the ill-effects of consumption of tobacco products to the people in order to enable the latter to exercise their informed choices.

N.Jaya Prakash, Andhra Pradesh working Journalists Union has opined that media should sensitise public about the detrimental effects of consumption of tobacco on health and longevity of consumers.
The second panel discussion was on the subject “Needs and strategies for protecting the young generation from the menace of tobacco.  The experts in the second session were Dt.T.Geeta Prasadini, Addl. Director, Department of Public Health & Family Welfare, Dr. S. Bhavana, Reader, Dept of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Dr.E.Prasanth, MDS, Programme Officer, NTCP &NOHP, Dr. H.Kalyan Rao, Asst. Professor and Sri N. Poornachandra Rao, AFC&DO Food Safety and Standards Administration.

The experts dwelt at length on what needs to be done to protect younger generation from the menace of tobacco .The common theme advocated and articulated by the experts participating in the discussion was that compulsory vendor license is a pragmatic idea to be worth implemented to keep the younger generation from the influence of Tobacco Products.  The other important suggestions and recommendations made by the experts were;
(1)  Surrogate advertisement in any form should be strictly banned.

(2)  COTPA should be strictly implemented by the enforcement agencies

(3)  Awareness about the provisions of COTPA should be generated by designing and adopting multi-pronged approach.

(4)  Young generation should be properly sensitized about the harmful effects of Tobacco and allied products by formulating and designing specific plans towards children and youth.

(6)  Vendor licence for Tobacco Vendors should be seriously pursued for ensuring its implementation at the ground level. The positive signs made by the Municipal Administration in response to the advocacy efforts of Consumers Guidance Society by issuing a specific letter must be fully utilised to make co-ordinated efforts for achieving the same.

After the conclusion of two panel discussions, the floor was thrown open for comments and suggestions of the participants. Around 60 participants including health experts, municipal corporation officials, tobacco control activists,  media persons, CSOs  enthusiastically took part in the deliberations and gave their valuable suggestions.

Media Coverage

Media Coverage

City Level Workshop for Sensitization Of Stakeholders to Support Tobacco Vendor Licensing Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh

City Level Workshop for Sensitization Of Stakeholders to Support Tobacco Vendor Licensing Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh

by | Mar 8, 2019 | Tobacco

City Level Workshop for Sensitization Of Stakeholders to Support Tobacco Vendor Licensing Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh

The Consumers Guidance Society, Vijayawada and Consumer Awareness Society, Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh in collaboration and support of VOICE, organized a workshop on “Tobacco Control in Youth Hostel, Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh on February 8, 2019. The main objective of the workshop was to sensitization of stakeholders on tobacco control measures in Andhra Pradesh through vendor licensing.The workshop was presided over by Sri. P. Raja Reddy, President, District Federation .of Consumer Organisations. A renowned oncologist Dr. Surya Sen, Sri Prabhakara Rao, Assistant Controller, Food Safety, Ch. Hari Kishan, Programe Executive, Consumers Guidance Society, Vijayawada were also part of the workshop.

Raja Reddy, President, Chittor District Federation of Consumer Organisation highlighted the findings of Tobacco Survey Consumption in Andhra ·Pradesh and the key findings of the survey on Tobacco Vendors in Tirupathi,  Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.

Key Findings of survey:

  • Tobacco vendors are violating COTPA.
  • Mandatory warning display board was not found in 82 % point of sale.
  • Tobacco products are displayed openly in 61% cases.
  • Sale of loose cigarettes is rampant 98%, which frustrate purpose of pictorial warning at package.
  • 89 % Tobacco vendors were found Selling candy, chips etc. the products meant for and to attract children/youth to tobacco shops.

He stated that COTPA was ineffectively enforced in the State,  resulting in easy accessibility of tobacco products within the reach of children and other  vulnerable people. Hence, he emphasized that regulatory mechanism over the sale of Tobacco Products should be revisited and strengthened. As a part of this, compulsory vendor license should be introduced for the sale of tobacco and other allied products to prevent children from falling prey to these hazardous products. Therefore, he opined an effective strategy should be designed and pursued for effective implementation of compulsory vendor license for sale of tobacco products.

Dr. Surya Sen, a renowned oncologist has stated that 70 percent of his patients were tobacco smokers and the singular reason for their pathetic health condition involving deceases like oral cancer, lung cancer, intestinal cancer and other deceases was primarily on account of consumption of Tobacco and other allied products. He said tobacco consumers not only injure their own health but also the health and safety of their own family members by releasing smoke in the living spaces of their family. He strongly advocated that tobacco farmers should be motivated to cultivate alternative crops to address the root of the problem.

 

Prabhakar Rao, Assistant IT Food Controller, Food Safety, said that though use of tobacco in food is totally banned but in reality tobacco is mixed in Pan Masala, Khaini and other food products by mislabeling and misbranding products and which needs to be curbed effectively . He further stated that lacunae in the existing laws are being taken as an advantage by the Tobacco manufacturers to evade regulatory mechanism and indulge in surrogate advertisements.

He opined that compulsory tobacco vending license is definitely a good move to save children and youngsters from the influence of tobacco products and therefore, it should be properly designed and introduced. Ch. Hari Kishan,  Programme  executive, GCGS has  highlighted the ominous findings of on-line survey on Tobacco trade and vendors  and steps that are required to address the problem. The participants had interacted with resource persons by raising their queries and concerns. Around 80 participants representing Consumer Organisations, Civil Society, media, doctors, academia, youth clubs etc., participated in the workshop. Media supported the event and provided mass coverage.

Media Coverage

Media Coverage Tirupati,AP

City Level Workshop for Sensitization Of Stakeholders to Support Tobacco Vendor Licensing in Assam

City Level Workshop for Sensitization Of Stakeholders to Support Tobacco Vendor Licensing in Assam

by | Feb 8, 2019 | Tobacco

City Level Workshop for Sensitization Of Stakeholders to Support Tobacco Vendor Licensing in Assam

City level workshop on tobacco control in Dibrugarh, Assam | City level workshop on tobacco control in Jorhat, Assam

City level workshop on tobacco control in Dibrugarh, Assam

Consumer Legal Protection Forum with support from Consumer VOICE, New Delhi organised a city level workshop on tobacco control issues on 20 January 2019 at Sahityarathi Lakhminath Bezbaruah Bhawan, Dibrugarh, Assam.

The main objective of the event was sensitization of stakeholders on tobacco control measures in Dibrugrah, Assam through vendor licensing.

The programme started with the introduction message by Advocate Ajoy Hazarika, Secretary, Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum. He shared key findings of a recent study on tobacco vendors in Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Guwahati.

He told that tobacco vendors were found selling candy, chips etc. the products meant for and to attract children/youth to tobacco shops. He expressed concern that Assam has shown a significant rise of 9 % in overall tobacco consumption from 39.3 percent during the last survey in 2009-10 to 48.2 percent as compared to a 6 % decline in national average as per Global Adult Tobacco Survey report 2016-17.

There was a panel discussion on the needs and strategies for protecting young generation from the menace of tobacco where Dr. Simanta Madhab Baruah, Professor, Assam Medical College Hospital; Dr. Riktom Borgohain, District Nodal Officer, Tobacco Control Cell, Dibrugarh and Dr. Udayan Baruah, Joint Director of Health, Services, Dibrugarh   gave their valuable suggestions on the issue. Mr. Mukul Chandra Deka,  Vice Chairman, Dibrugarh Municipal Board chief guest of the programme spoke on the role of municipal bodies in tobacco control. He also highlighted that the licensing system will be useful to decrease the  tobacco consumption.

The workshop was attended by more than 50 participants including  health experts, tobacco control officials, youth icons, officials from Municipal Corporation, student leaders, media, students, Resident Welfare Associations, CSOs and activists working on tobacco control, Consumer and Child right issues. The media covered the workshop widely.

Media Coverage of City Level Workshop in Assam

City level workshop on tobacco control in Jorhat, Assam

Consumer’s Legal Protection Forum with support from Consumer VOICE, New Delhi organised a city level workshop on tobacco control issues on 14 February 2019 at AMSA Hall Jorhat, Assam.

The purpose of the event was to sensitise stakeholders on tobacco control measures in Jorhat, Assam through vendor licensing.

The programme started with the introductory message by Advocate Ajoy Hazarika, Secretary, Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum. He shared key findings of a recent study conducted on tobacco vendors in Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Guwahati.

He told that, the density of tobacco vendors is too high in both commercial and residential areas .

Key findings of the Jorhat are:

In the survey it is found 324 tobacco vendors in 6 wards/areas in Jorhat. Tobacco vendors are violating COTPA, 2003 in Jorhat.

  • Mandatory warning display board was not found at 34 % tobacco point of sale.
  • Tobacco products are displayed openly, amounting to advertisements at every point of sale.
  • Some kind of Tobacco product advertisements were found at 100 %point of sale.
  • Despite ban in State, sale of loose cigarettes is rampant (100%), which frustrate purpose of pictorial warning at package and to make them affordable for youth and low income groups.
  • 80% of Tobacco vendors were found Selling candy, chips etc. the products meant for and to attract children/youth to tobacco shops.

Shri Paban Bordoloi, Vice Chairman, Jorhat Municipal Board who was Chief guest of the event spoke on the role of municipal bodies in tobacco control. He also stressed that the licensing system will be useful to decrease the tobacco consumption.

There was a panel discussion on the “Needs and strategies for protecting young generation from the menace of tobacco” where Dr. Amrit kr. Saikia, Joint Director of Health Service, Jorhat; Najmee Ayysha Ahmed, Hon. Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Jorhat; Dr. Bhaktimay Bhattacharyya, Nodal Officer, DTCC, Jorhat & Prokash Sharma, Officer In Charge Special Police Task Force, APDCL, Jorhat gave their valuable suggestions on the issue.

As a Special Guest Anjan Kumar Bora, Sr. Journalist and Desk In charge, Amar Asom, Jorhat addressed on the role of media in tobacco control. Dr. Suvasish Sharma, Prof & Head, Political Science Dept., JB College, Jorhat spoke on Tobacco control in smart cities. The workshop was also supported by Sankalpsiksha an  organisation working on education in Jorhat.

The workshop was attended by more than 50 people including Health experts, tobacco control officials, youth icons, officials from Municipal Corporation, students leaders, media, students, Resident Welfare Associations, CSOs and activists working on tobacco control, Consumer and Child right issues. Media provide wide coverage to the event.

State Level Workshop for Sensitization Of Stakeholders to Support Tobacco Vendor Licensing Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

State Level Workshop for Sensitization Of Stakeholders to Support Tobacco Vendor Licensing Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

by | Feb 7, 2019 | Tobacco

State Level Workshop for Sensitization Of Stakeholders to Support Tobacco Vendor Licensing Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

National Centre for Human Settlements & Environment (NCHSE) with support from Consumer VOICE, New Delhi  organised a state level workshop on tobacco control issues (vendor licensing) in Bhopal, on January 21, 2019.

At the start of the programme Dr Pradip Nandi, Director General briefly spoke about the magnitude of tobacco consumption in India and Madhya Pradesh and their health impacts, especially on youth. He stressed that despite Government of India issuing advisory to the states for the enforcement of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, its implementation is poor.

The key findings of the survey which were done in Bhopal, Indore and Gwalior, were presented by Mr. Amarjeet Singh Panghal , Advisor Legal & Projects, Consumer VOICE:

  • The density of tobacco vendors is too high in both commercial and residential areas and there is no record available of tobacco vendors. There were 408 tobacco vendors in 6 wards/areas of 3 cities of Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal, Gwalior & Indore).
  • Tobacco vendors are violating COTPA.
  • Mandatory warning display board was not found at 62% point of sale.
  • Sale of loose cigarettes is rampant (97%), which frustrates the purpose of pictorial warning over the package.
  • 84 % tobacco vendors were found selling candy, chips etc. the products meant for and to attract children/youth to tobacco shops.
  • Tobacco products were displayed openly amounting to advertisements. Besides, tobacco advertisements were found at several point of sale.

The main recommendations of the study are as follows:

  • Need to strengthen enforcement of COTPA and JJ Act and to include public/CSOs in monitoring.
  • Municipal authorities should implement the MOHFW’s advisory dated 21st September 2017 and recent Union Ministry of Urban Development Advisory dated 28th September, 2018 to all states for licensing tobacco vendors through State Municipal Laws. Licensing can reduce vendor numbers and can prescribe where tobacco products are sold. Regulating tobacco vendors can aid COTPA enforcement, increase municipal revenue and save children from tobacco trap.
  • Need proper implementation of the order issued by the Department of Urban Development and Housing (MP) to all Municipal Bodies in the states to ensure COTPA compliance and licensing of tobacco vendors on 20 Sept. 2018.
  • Tobacco companies should be made accountable for violations at point of sale.
  • State need to develop comprehensive action plan to fight tobacco menace.

Shri Malika Nagar, Additional Commissioner, Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) admitted that there is illegal selling of tobacco products especially in slum areas of Bhopal. She informed that BMC grants only limited licenses and is also taking several measures to restrict selling of tobacco products to the children/youth below the age of 18 years. Zonal Officers have been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring of compliance of COTPA.

During the Panel Discussion on the needs and strategies for protecting young generation from the menace of tobacco, Dr. S.K. Saxena, Former CMHO & Civil Surgeon, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh stressed that there should be complete ban on production of tobacco as well strict enforcement of existing regulatory measures.

Shri Chandra Kant Naidu, Senior Journalist opined that ban of production or sale of tobacco product may not solve the growing problems related to tobacco consumption. He also stressed on the need for creating awareness among the youth and other stakeholders to make the restrictions on tobacco control meaningful.

During the discussion with the participants, it emerged that the advisory issued by the government of Madhya Pradesh for urban local bodies on 20th September 2018 is only for the urban areas. State Government has ignored the rural areas.

Around 60 participants took part in the workshop. Health experts, tobacco control officials, youth icons, officials from Municipal Corporation, student leaders, media persons, students, CSOs and including activists working on tobacco control, Consumer and Child right issues actively attended the workshop.

Click here for Madhya Pradesh-Media

City Level Workshop for Sensitization Of Stakeholders to Support Tobacco Vendor Licensing in Madhya Pradesh

City Level Workshop for Sensitization Of Stakeholders to Support Tobacco Vendor Licensing in Madhya Pradesh

by | Feb 7, 2019 | Tobacco

City Level Workshop for Sensitization Of Stakeholders to Support Tobacco Vendor Licensing in Madhya Pradesh

City Level Workshop on Tobacco Vendor Licensing – Indore, Madhya Pradesh

National Centre for Human Settlements & Environment (NCHSE) with support from Consumer VOICE Delhi organised a city level workshop on tobacco control issues at Hotel Surya in Indore, MP, on January 23, 2019.

The objective of the event was to sensitise stakeholders on tobacco control measures in Indore, Madhya Pradesh through vendor licensing.

Mr. Hemant Upadhyay, Advisor – Projects, Consumer VOICE presented the findings of a survey on selling of tobacco products in three cities, namely Bhopal, Indore and Gwalior, of Madhya Pradesh, with a special focus on findings of Indore.

The key findings of Indore are

  • The density of tobacco vendors is too high in both commercial and residential areas and no record on tobacco vendors is available. There were a total of 135 tobacco vendors in 2 wards/areas of Indore.
  • Tobacco vendors are violating COTPA, 2003.
  • Mandatory warning display board was not found in 24 % cases.
  • Tobacco products are displayed openly in 67% cases.
  • Tobacco advertisements were found at point of sale in 67 % cases.
  • Sale of loose cigarettes is rampant reported in 99% cases, which frustrate purpose of pictorial warning at package.
  • 87 % Tobacco vendors were found selling candy, chips etc. the products meant for and to attract children/youth to tobacco shops.

The main recommendations of the study are:

  • Need to strengthen enforcement of COTPA and JJ Act and to include public/CSOs in monitoring.
  • Municipal authorities should implement the MOHFW’s advisory dated 21st September 2017 and recent MoUA Advisory dated Sept. 28, 2018 to all states for licensing tobacco vendors through State Municipal Laws. Licensing can reduce vendor numbers and can prescribe where tobacco products are sold. Regulating tobacco vendors can aid COTPA enforcement, increase municipal revenue and save children from tobacco trap
  • Tobacco companies should be made accountable for violations at point of sale.
  • State need to develop comprehensive action plan to fight tobacco menace.

 

Shri Upadhyay also highlighted that there are several gaps in the existing law and without vendor licensing it is not possible to make the COTPA effective.

There was a panel discussion on the needs and strategies for protecting young generation from the menace of tobacco, Shri. B C Jain Joint Director, Social Justice Department, Dr S S Nayyar, Oncologist and Dr Nikhil Oza, Child Specialist shared their views.

Shri. Jain pointed out that usually human being takes to tobacco or drugs to hide their weakness and the poor become prey to addiction because they have least resistance power.

Dr Nayyar pointed out that there is a host of laws in India related to protection of human health, but their implementation is poor. In medical curriculum tobacco is not included. He advised that prevention of cancer due to tobacco use and de- addictions for tobacco among children are must.

Dr Jha pointed out that tobacco industry targets the children because it is impossible to de-addict them. He also pointed out that tobacco industry not only benefits by selling tobacco products but also by selling products which are used for tobacco de-addiction programme.

Shri. Chinmay Mishra, senior journalist pointed out that due to lack of expertise among the journalists on technical matters like tobacco and cancer, they fail to project the issue properly. He stressed that there is need to think about the new way to discourage children to use tobacco products.

This was followed by open house discussion, when participants shared their experiences. Around 50 participants  including the experts, representatives from education depart, medical professionals, Civil Society organizations, community-based organizations, citizens of Indore attended the workshop.

Click here for Indore-Media

City Level workshop on Vendor Licensing-Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

National Centre for Human Settlements & Environment (NCHSE) with support from Consumer Voice, New Delhi organized a city level workshop at  the State Institute of Health Management and Communications (SIHMC), Gwalior on 7th February 2019 to sensitize stakeholders to support tobacco vendor licensing and effective tobacco control measures.

The  programme started with the inaugural message by  Dr Pradip Nandi, Director General who briefly spoke about the magnitude of tobacco consumption in India and Madhya Pradesh and their health impacts, especially on youth. He stressed that despite Government of India issuing advisory to the states for the enforcement of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA 2003), its implantation is poor.

Shri Avinash Shrivastava Dy Director, NCHSE  presented the findings of a survey on selling of tobacco products in residential and Commercial areas in three cities, of Madhya Pradesh, viz. Bhopal, Indore & Gwalior.

The Findings of the study specific to Gwalior are as follows:

  • The density of tobacco vendors is too high in both commercial and residential areas and there is no record available of tobacco vendors. We found 140 tobacco vendors in 2 wards/areas of Gwalior.
  • Tobacco vendors are violating COTPA.
  • Mandatory warning display board was not found in 79 % cases.
  • Tobacco products are displayed openly in 67% cases.
  • Tobacco advertisements were found at point of sale in 67 % cases.
  • Sale of loose cigarettes is rampant 98% , which frustrate purpose of pictorial warning at package.
  • 87 % Tobacco vendors were found Selling candy, chips etc. the products meant for and to attract children/youth to tobacco shops.

The programme followed by a panel discussion on the needs and strategies for protecting young generation from the menace of tobacco, in which Dr.A.K.Dixit. Joint Director, Health & Director, SIHMC, Dr.Alok Purohit, Nodal Officer, Tobacco control cell, Dr .Mradul Saxena, Chief Medical Health Officer , Smt. Mamta Chaturvedi, District Education Officer, and Shri B. S. Sikarwar, Project Engineer, Gwalior Municipal Corporation shared their views.

Smt Mamta Chaturvedi informed that she has initiated steps to implement action as per section 6(a) Prohibition of sale of tobacco products to minors & Section 6(b) Prohibition of sale of tobacco products near educational institutions under COTPA 2003. She informed that necessary instructions to schools have been issued to mark the Tobacco Free Zone around schools with yellow line and to take action against vendors of tobacco products.

Dr Alok Purohit informed that multiple agencies are involved in implementation of COTPA 2003. He highlighted the need for creating awareness among students, especially of 7th Standards onwards to discourage them to take up tobacco. He stressed the need to educate the parents as well and that without support from Police it is very difficult to take action against the violators. He suggested that for COTPA to be made effective with respect to Section 6(a) & 6(b) it is necessary that Principal should see to it that the Tobacco Free Zone of 100 yard around educational institutions are marked properly, boards displaying warning in bold letters against violation of COTPA at the gate of Educational institutions are installed and regular warning to shops near educational institutions against selling of tobacco products are issued. Dr.  Dixit advised that mere displaying of warning is not enough.  There  is need for continuous monitoring against violation of COTPA 2003.

Dr Mridul Saxena informed that as per Government directive signage showing Smoke free zone  in all government buildings especially in Hospitals are being put up to discourage smoking in public places.

This was followed by an open house discussion, when participants shared their experiences. Besides the experts around 50 participants including representatives from education department, medical professionals, media ,Civil Society organizations, community based organizations, students and citizens of Gwalior participated in the workshop.  The event  received mass media coverage.

 

 

Dainik Bhaskar

Nai Dunia

World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day

by | Feb 4, 2019 | Tobacco

World Cancer Day

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. These abnormal cells may form a mass of tissue, called a tumor. Some cancers, such as leukemia, do not form tumors.  If left untreated, tumors can grow and spread into the surrounding normal tissue, or to other parts of the body via the bloodstream and lymphatic systems, and can affect the digestive, nervous and circulatory systems or release hormones that may affect body function.

World Cancer Day is on the 4th of February

Cancer Statistics in the World

  • Every year 9.6 million people die from cancer
  • Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide
  • 70% of cancer deaths occur in third world nations
  • The total annual economic cost of cancer is estimated at US$1.16 trillion

Source: Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)

Cancer Statistics in India (2012)

  • Estimated number of people suffering  from cancer – 2.25 million (approx.)
  • Every year, new registered cancer patients – 11,57,294 lakh
  • Cancer-related deaths  – 7,84,821
  • As many as 2,500 persons die every day due to tobacco-related diseases in India mainly because of oral cancer
  • In 2012 the incidence of oral cancer in India is 53842 in males and 23161 in females.
  • 30% of cancer patient have oral cancer

Source: NICPR and NCBI

World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day is organised every year on the 4th of February to raise awareness among general public about the risk factors and measures that can be taken to prevent cancer or its early detection. The day is also celebrated to bust certain myths related to cancer.

Union for International Cancer Control have launched a 3-year ‘I Am and I Will’ campaign from 2019 to 2022. ‘I Am and I Will’ is an empowering call-to-action urging for personal commitment and represents the power of individual action taken now to impact the future. A multi-year campaign offers a chance to create long-lasting impact by increasing public-facing exposure and engagement, more opportunities to build global awareness and impact-driven action.

Tobacco and cancer

Tobacco smoke contains at least 80 different cancer-causing substances (carcinogenic agents). When smoke is inhaled the chemicals enter the lungs, pass into the blood stream and are transported throughout the body. This is why smoking or chewing tobacco not only causes lung and mouth cancers including cancer of the larynx (voice box), esophagus, throat, bladder, kidney, liver, stomach, pancreas, colon and rectum, and cervix, as well as acute myeloid leukemia. The more a person smokes, the younger they start, and the longer they keep smoking, all further increase the risk of cancer. Currently tobacco use is responsible for around 22% of cancer deaths.

Click here to learn more about Consumer VOICE initiatives on tobacco intervention

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