The question of tobacco’s widespread usage and its effects on public health has been a key concern around the world. This concern reached a peak recently when New Zealand Parliament proposed the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Bill to fulfill their goal of being smoke-free by 2025. This move inspired Malaysia to consider implementing similar measures with a potential ban on all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, for people born after 2007.
New Zealand’s Endeavor: The Tobacco Endgame Bill
The bill, also known as the Tobacco Endgame, aims at creating a tobacco-free future by focusing on three primary strategies to reduce or eliminate smoking. If implemented successfully, the legislation could mark a historic milestone as it would prevent the next generation from legally purchasing cigarettes.
The strategies incorporated in the bill include “denicotinisation”, which involves drastically reducing the nicotine content in tobacco to make it non-addictive. The bill also proposes limiting the number of tobacco-selling shops by 90-95% and making it illegal for people born on or after January 1, 2009, to buy tobacco, thereby creating a “smoke-free generation”.
Tobacco Consumption: A Global Scenario
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the tobacco epidemic is one of the most significant public health concerns causing over 8 million fatalities per year, including 1.2 million deaths due to second-hand smoke exposure. Tobacco, in any form, poses grave health risks, with cigarette smoking being the most common worldwide. It significantly contributes to chronic diseases such as cancer, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.
Tobacco Use in India: A Grave Concern
The National Family Health Survey 5 (2019-21) found that 38% of Indian men and 9% of women above the age of fifteen use tobacco products. Tobacco usage is also found to be higher among people from Scheduled Tribes, rural areas, and those with lesser educational qualifications. This rampant consumption makes tobacco one of India’s leading causes of death and disease, claiming nearly 1.35 million lives annually and rendering India as the second-largest consumer and producer of tobacco.
Socio-Economic Impact of Tobacco Consumption
Aside from health implications, tobacco use exerts a substantial socio-economic burden. It diverts household spending from fundamental necessities to tobacco, leading to significant healthcare expenses for treating tobacco-induced diseases and loss of human capital due to morbidity and mortality attributed to tobacco use. In the fiscal year 2017-18, the total economic costs related to tobacco use rose to INR 177 341 crore in India.
Global and National Initiatives to Curb High Tobacco Usage
Various global and national initiatives have been implemented to combat high tobacco consumption. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) was established as an evidence-based treaty reaffirming everyone’s right to good health. Every year, May 31st is observed as World No Tobacco Day to spread awareness about tobacco’s deadly effects.
In India, initiatives include the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 that replaced the Cigarettes Act of 1975, and included non-cigarette tobacco products. The 2019 Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Ordinance prohibits the production and sale of e-cigarettes. Additionally, National Tobacco Quitline Services (NTQLS) and the mCessation Programme offer information, advice, support, and referrals for tobacco cessation.
Last Modified: February 18, 2024