More than 12,000 people die every year due to tobacco-related diseases in Prayagraj Division

Prayagraj, March 17

More than 34 lac people consume tobacco in some or the other form in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, which is a subject of concern. Every year 12,000 people die in Prayagraj division due to tobacco related diseases, while 1.91 lac people lose their lives due to consuming tobacco in the entire State of Uttar Pradesh. This was informed in a press conference on ‘Tobacco Free Uttar Pradesh’ organised by Alamelu Charitable Foundation supported by Tata Trusts and Sambandh Health Foundation (SHF).

Voice of Tobacco Victims (VoTV) patron and Kamla Nehru Hospital Cancer Surgeon from Dr Radha Rani Ghosh said, “Young patients are coming to our hospital with cancer diagnosis. As they say prevention is better than cure, it is very important to save them from such deadly tobacco products. Departments of Police and Education can save more lives than us doctors.”

She said treatment of tobacco related diseases and surgeries both are painful, after which such people cannot lead a quality life. Their family also faces economic crisis. The increasing use of tobacco in form of smoke and smokeless especially by the youth, school and college going children has affected them mentally and physically.

Dr Ghosh further added that earlier when people used to consume tobacco and when they get affected by cancer then they regret consuming tobacco. If epidemic like tobacco is put to an end in the society then 50% of all cancers and 90% of oral & lung cancers can be prevented. Apart from this, Departments such as police that can implement law can play important role in saving the younger generation by effective implementation of COTPA.

Everyday 832 children in Uttar Pradesh start using tobacco

Addressing the media, Director of Sambandh Health Foundation, Ashima Sarin said that increasing use of tobacco by youth is very alarming. Everyday 832 children in Uttar Pradesh initiate tobacco use everyday. ‘Pledge for Life – Tobacco Free Youth’ campaign can protect our youth from such highly addictive tobacco products. Tobacco is the singlemost preventable cause of death. Appreciating the support by the Department of Police, she added that implementation by Police will go a long way and help in reducing the access, especially, children.

Cancer patients shared their painful experience

Victims suffering from cancer shared their painful experience in the workshop. They narrated that they started using tobacco around the age of 15 and their families have been devastated. They appealed to stop these products so that the coming generation can be saved from the clutches of tobacco.  

‘Pledge for Life’-Tobacco Free Youth campaign is inspired by President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind and supported by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This campaign focuses on preventive strategies for youth to abstain from using tobacco and discourage others from doing so.

It is currently being rolled out in the states of Assam, Delhi, Karnataka, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.

5.17 crore people in Uttar Pradesh consume tobacco

Alamelu Charitable Foundation supported by Tata Trusts, Ambuj Pandey said that future of children and youth can be made better by stopping the initiation of tobacco products. He said that according to Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2017, in Uttar Pradesh 5.17 crore (35.5%) of the population (aged 15+) consume bidi, cigarette and other tobacco products – 1.96 crore people smoke bidi and cigarette, while 4.2 crore people use smokeless tobacco, of which 52.1% are  males and 17.7% are females.

More than 12,000 people die in Prayagraj division

Approximately 34 lac people use tobacco in Prayagraj division and 12,000 people die every year due to diseases attributed to tobacco use. Elaborating further, in Kaushambi 4 lac people use tobacco and 1500 people die every year, in Prayagraj 15 lakh people use tobacco and 5700 people die every year, in Pratapgarh 8 lac people use tobacco and 3100 people die every year, in Fatehpur 6 lac people use tobacco and 2500 people die every year due to diseases caused by consuming tobacco.

1.91 lac people die in UP because of tobacco

In Uttar Pradesh, every year approximately 1.91 lac people die due to tobacco related diseases. The subject of serious concern is that of these 1.91 lac who die every year because of consuming tobacco.

SHF’s Barkha Sethi and other representatives were present on this occasion.