GUWAHATI, May 30 - The Assam Cancer Care Foundation said that the youths can prevent the spread of COVID-19 by giving up smokeless tobacco. Any form of tobacco is not only a threat to spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also makes its consumers more prone to it.
The foundation made the statement on the eve of World No Tobacco Day.
�Smokeless tobacco is a significant part of the world�s tobacco problem. At present, smokeless tobacco use is more common among the youth globally than smoked tobacco. Youths are especially vulnerable to initiating smokeless tobacco use. And once they start using, they often develop a pattern of daily use. What aggravates the burden is the fact that tobacco manufacturers sell �starter� products that are milder or sweeter for initiating users,� said Dr BC Goswami, Director, State Cancer Institute, GMCH.
Further, smokeless tobacco products are usually cheaper than cigarettes leading to increased demand. As per WHO, people who experiment with smokeless tobacco, increase the quantity of tobacco consumption over time, eventually leading to other addictions.
As per Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2016-2017, 21.4 per cent people in India consume smokeless tobacco in some form. While in Assam, consumption of smokeless tobacco is way higher with 41.7 per cent adults consuming smokeless tobacco.
Dr Rajiv Pathni, Head of Operations, Assam Cancer Care Foundation, said, �Smokeless tobacco is a public health problem. Most oral tobacco users hold the quid in their mouths for a period of time and then spit out the tobacco juice along with their saliva. To protect our communities, it is important to educate people and encourage a �Stop Spitting� campaign.�
Smokeless tobacco could lead to spread of viral and bacterial diseases along with COVID-19.
�Smokeless tobacco consumers not only spread communicable diseases, but are also more susceptible to multiple problems, including COVID-19. Tobacco use is known to cause immune suppression affecting the adaptive and innate immune cells of the human body negatively,� added Dr Arundhati Deka, State Programme Officer, State Tobacco Control Cell, Assam.
The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) offers a toll free quit-line 1800112356. For those seeking SMS-based quitting assistance, they need to give a missed call at 011-22901701 from their mobile number and register. Tobacco cessation centres are also available at district level.
