Women smokers in India!

Women smokers in India!

The third edition of the Tobacco Atlas released by the American Cancer Society and World Lung Foundation in Dublin says that more women in India are turning smokers and are prone to using tobacco. It is analyzed that India has the third highest number of female tobacco users or smokers in the world which is nothing to be proud of. Out of 11.9 million female consumers of tobacco in India around 5.4 million smoke it and rest chews the leaves. Whatever it is, tobacco in any form is life threatening and is considered hazardous to health.

Tobacco consumption worldwide could kill around six million people in coming years and one third of those people will be affected by cancer. Almost 25% of smokers die or become ill during their most productive years which adversely affects their families as well as country’s economies. In earlier days tobacco killed more men than women but this perception is gradually changing as smoking rates have increased among women in most of the countries including India and specially among young women who go to college or work in night shifts. In India, female smokers are dying eight years earlier than the other non smoking women.

MESSAGE From Former Smoker – Terrie

Reproductive system of women is affected mostly because of smoking. It adversely affects the health of eggs produced and also compromises the health of a pregnant woman and the fetus. The same applies for passive smokers as well. Tobacco consumers become highly vulnerable to disease like cancer, particularly lung cancer.

Many factors are responsible for the increase in smoking amongst women. Smoking curbs the appetite and is seen as an easy and conventional way of following diet plan to help in losing weight. Women working in night shifts find it as an alternative to keep their senses awake. It is observed that in rural areas by default women catch the smoking habit as they light their husband’s hookahs and beedies.

Indian government should come up with more public awareness campaigns. Along with campaigning on television and theaters, anti smoking banners and all should be put up on streets and the price of cigarette packs should be increased drastically. The future of our country is at stake. We can’t afford to lose our precious talent. Create awareness amongst people and help them practice self control before it is too late.

TILL THEN PLEASE BE KIND TO SMOKERS AS THEY HAVE LESS TIME LEFT

image courtesy : http://www.topnews.in/health/files/girl-smoking_0.jpg