During an exclusive discourse, Dr. Chilukuri, a specialist in Radiation Oncology stationed at the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre in Chennai, elucidated that India has emerged as the global hub for the consumption of tobacco by chewing, garnering a staggering 42 percent among males and 18 percent among females indulging in some form of tobacco intake.
He accentuated that subsequent to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a resurgence in the habit of smoking, reversing a downward trend witnessed over a decade. Overall, approximately 27 percent of the Indian populace engages in tobacco consumption, eliciting profound concerns nationwide regarding the fate of the younger demographic.
The physician delineated the two primary modes of tobacco usage: inhalation and non-inhalation. Inhalation encompasses the traditional mediums such as cigarettes, bidis, hookahs, along with the contemporary menace of e-cigarettes and vaping. “Non-inhalation of tobacco, prevalent in the Indian subcontinent, entails chewing or retaining tobacco in the oral cavity, presenting an even swifter and more lethal peril,” he appended.
Dr. Chilukuri expounded that tobacco comprises not solely nicotine but also approximately 70 carcinogens. Underscoring its pervasive repercussions on the human anatomy, he articulated that apart from instigating lung and oral malignancies, tobacco is implicated in cancers of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, kidneys, pancreas, bladder, and cervix.
The oncologist underscored the substantial proportion—30 percent—of cancer mortalities attributable to tobacco usage, emphasizing that these are preventable through efficacious cessation initiatives.
“In spite of ongoing consciousness-raising campaigns, tobacco consumption remains rife across India. Certain locales, such as Bihar and the Andaman Nicobar Islands, witness elevated rates of tobacco usage, exceeding 50 percent among males. Post the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a resurgence in smoking, reversing a ten-year decline. This trajectory raises apprehensions concerning future cancer incidence, given the protracted latency period of tobacco-related malignancies,” he appended.
Segments from the discussion:
What would be your counsel to the younger populace who perceive smoking as ‘fashionable’? Youths ought to discern what is detrimental to them and what augurs well for their prolonged well-being. Various vices in life may offer fleeting gratification but ultimately spell ruin. One must relinquish smoking for the betterment of their mental and physical health. I have persistently advocated for a concerted endeavor to disabuse the allure of smoking, urging the media, government, and society to elucidate the genuine hazards of tobacco usage.
What are the ramifications of smoking on expectant mothers? Smoking and alcohol consumption during gestation can exert adverse ramifications on the fetus, including miscarriages and premature deliveries. Furthermore, prolific smoking during pregnancy heightens the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accompanied by compromised pulmonary function. It may also culminate in the birth of an ailing infant.
How can we mitigate tobacco consumption in the nation? Dr. Chilukuri’s insights resonate as a clarion call for intensified advocacy, stringent regulatory measures, and comprehensive public awareness campaigns aimed at curtailing the tobacco scourge. By addressing this pressing concern, we can substantially ameliorate the burden of cancer and safeguard forthcoming generations from this pernicious addiction, he asserted. His impassioned plea underscores the imperative need for a unified front against tobacco, championing a healthier, smoke-free India.
What distinguishes tobacco consumption from alcohol ingestion? The repercussions of alcohol exposure manifest over decades. Conversely, in the case of smoking, a few years of this deleterious practice suffice to precipitate fatal maladies like cancer. In the realm of non-inhalant tobacco, even a span of five to seven years can catalyze the genesis of carcinogenic cells. Regrettably, India has metamorphosed into the global citadel for chewing tobacco at present.
