Government officials and health experts have underscored the urgent need for collaborative efforts across various sectors to address the pervasive issue of tobacco use in Indian society. Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) for the Government of India, emphasised the critical role of multi-sectoral intervention in navigating towards a healthier future. He highlighted India's position as the fourth-largest global producer of tobacco in 2021, emphasising the magnitude of the challenge.
Dr. Sutapa B Neogi, Director of the IIHMR-Delhi and president of the 6th National Conference on Tobacco or Health, highlighted the grim reality of tobacco use in India, where over 10 lakh people die each year from tobacco-related illnesses. She stressed the importance of uniting to combat the dual burden of smoking and smokeless tobacco, which currently affects nearly 29 per cent of Indian adults. The conference aims to serve as a platform for professionals, researchers, and policymakers to exchange knowledge and best practices in tobacco control .
Dr. L Swasticharan, Additional DDG in the Directorate General and Director (EMR) at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, expressed concern over the involvement of youngsters in tobacco consumption and the resultant global impact. He emphasized the economic burden and the imperative to strengthen measures such as the NTCP and WHO-MPOWER initiative, highlighting the importance of multi-sectoral action at the national, state, and district levels to prioritise tobacco taxation and raise funds for a smoke-free India .
Dr. Yutaro Setoya, Team Lead for NCDs and Comorbidities at the WHO India Country Office, reinforced the urgency to address the increasing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in India, primarily attributed to tobacco use. He commended the country's efforts while emphasizing the need for holistic eradication strategies and prevention initiatives targeted at youngsters.
Dr. Jagdish Kaur, Regional Advisor for Tobacco Free Initiatives at the World Health Organization's South-East Asia Regional Office (WHO-SEARO), emphasised the urgent need for comprehensive policies to regulate surrogate advertisements of tobacco products, particularly smokeless tobacco. These policies are crucial to protect public health and prevent the exploitation of loopholes in advertising regulations.
(With inputs from PTI)
