GUWAHATI, Nov 6 - On the occasion of National Cancer Awareness Day today, the Consumers� Legal Protection Forum, Assam and Consumer Voice, Delhi have urged all stakeholders to take the pledge to protect children and youths from tobacco which is the leading cause of cancerous diseases. Both the organisations also appealed to the State government to implement the rules of tobacco vendor licensing to protect people from tobacco products.
In Assam, Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) data shows that the mean age of initiation to tobacco use has increased from 18.1 years to 18.5 years. Prevalence of smokeless tobacco use has increased significantly by 9.0 per cent.
Advocate Ajoy Hazarika, secretary, Consumers� Legal Protection Forum, Assam said, �In 2020 tobacco-related cancers are estimated to contribute to 3.7 lakh (27.1 pc) of the total cancer burden. It is high time we went into combative mode against this disease. Tobacco not only causes direct cancer but also affects various other organs like oesophagus, prostate, urinary bladder and pancreas and also cause peptic ulcer. Tobacco vendor licensing needs to be implemented to keep the younger generation away from the influence of tobacco products.�
Ashim Sanyal, chief operating officer of Consumer Voice said, �Smoking is one of the major contributors to the rise of lung cancer. Tobacco vendor licensing needs to be implemented to save the younger generation from the influence of tobacco products as it will keep a track of tobacco retailers and help in effective enforcement of tobacco control laws.�
The National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020 released by The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR), Bengaluru, estimates that in 2020 cancer cases in the country will be 13.9 lakh with the likelihood of increasing to 15.7 lakh by 2025, based on current trends. These estimates are based on information related to cancer collected from 28 Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs).
Cancers related to use of any form of tobacco were highest in the north-eastern region of the country and in higher proportions in men. Cancers of the lungs, mouth, stomach and oesophagus were the most common maladies among men.
