NEW DELHI: Nearly half of the cancers affecting men and one-fourth among women are related to tobacco as per a report, the Rajya Sabha was informed.
“As per the report of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Cancer Registry Program, Time Trends in Cancer Incidence Rates 1982-2005 (2009), nearly half of the cancers in males and one-fourth of cancers among females are tobacco related,” Health Minister J P Nadda said.
He said that as per the World Health Organization (WHO), the use of tobacco is a major risk factor for four major non-communicable diseases namely cardio-vascular disease, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease.
“WHO studies show that smoking substantially increases the risk of tuberculosis and deaths from TB. As per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, India report (2010), 40 per cent of the TB burden in India may be attributed to smoking,” Nadda said.
Replying to another question, he said that as per the findings of a study titled ‘Economic Burden of Tobacco Related Diseases in India 2014’, commissioned by his ministry and conducted by Public Health Foundation of India, the total economic costs attributable to tobacco use from all diseases in India in 2011 for persons aged 35-69 amounted to Rs 1,04,500 crore.
He said that as per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey – India (GATS 2010) conducted by his ministry, in the age group of 15 years and above, 20.3 per cent of the females consume tobacco in some form or the other.
Replying to another question, he said that as per the ‘Report of Tobacco Control in India 2004’, published by the Health Ministry, each year 8-9 lakh deaths in India can be attributed to tobacco use.
The estimated number of tobacco-related cancer deaths in India as per ICMR in 2014 was 1,47,269 while it was 1,42,671 in 2013. In 2012, it was 1,38,261, the minister said.
“As per the report ‘Cigarette Package Health Warnings – International Status Report 2014’, published by Canadian Cancer Society, India is ranked 136 on its status of compliance with the cigarette package health warnings,” he said.
“This ranking is based on the size of the existing pack warnings i.e 40 per cent of the principal display area limited to the front panel only,” Nadda said.
Replying to another question, Nadda said that a committee was constituted in July 2014 to review and suggest amendments to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COPTA), 2003.
The committee made a number of recommendations with regard to prohibition of smoking in public places, advertisements at point of sale, minimum legal age for sale of tobacco products, loose sale of tobacco products, depiction of tar and nicotine contents and the penal provisions.
“After consideration of the recommendations, a draft amendment bill along with notes on clauses was prepared and placed in public domain, as part of the pre-legislative consultations with a view to elicit comments from stakeholders including general public up to February 15, 2015,” Nadda said.
Speaking about the measures taken for tobacco control, the Health Minister said COPTA 2003 was enacted, the National Tobacco Control Program was launched and Food Safety and Standards
Prohibition and restrictions on sales) regulations 2011 under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 was issued which lays down that tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in food products among other steps. -PTI
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