MUMBAI: According to Dr. P C Gupta, Director, Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health, the biggest change in cancer scenario will occur with control of tobacco use, a sobering thought worth chewing on the occasion of World Cancer Awareness Day.

Frequent reports on spiralling cases of cancer due to tobacco use often creates a stir. And, the figures each time only get worse. Yet, no one including celebrities ever pay any heed to keep away from excessive tobacco use.

Tobacco-related cancer reportedly constitutes 48% and 20% of all cancer in men and women respectively. In India, the principle impact of tobacco smoking is seen in cancer of the lung, larynx, esophagus, pancreas and bladder. Oral and pharyngeal cancer is directly related to tobacco chewing which constitutes to one of the highest in the world.
 

The fight against tobacco has been initiated from various quarters. It is estimated that at least 30% of future cancer burden is potentially preventable by tobacco control. The government has tried to control tobacco use through passage of the cigarette and other tobacco products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution Bill, 2003). Key provisions of the law include prohibition on direct and indirect advertisements of tobacco products, prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors and prohibition of smoking in public places.

The recent move to make pictorial warnings on tobacco products mandatory is yet another step toward curbing the tobacco epidemic in India.

More such stringent initiatives by the government and adequate support by the people will eventually help in bringing down the consumption of tobacco and consequently percentage of cancer caused due to tobacco.