Smoke it out

Times of India

August 3, 2007


News- Smoke it out

The Union government strictly controls the cultivation of poppy, limiting it to production required for pharmaceutical use such as morphine and codeine. This is because the recreational product from poppy, heroin, is habit-forming and can wreck the mental and physical health of the addict.

It is, therefore, surprising that tobacco, whose products are equally habit-forming and internationally condemned for causing cancer, is freely cultivated in India. Tobacco receives government support in the form of research inputs to enhance farm productivity and subsidies for export. Tobacco was introduced by the Portuguese to India some 400 years ago. Today, India is among the top three producers in the world of this killer weed, turning out around 700 million kg annually from 40 million hectares.

Tobacco causes over 20 categories of fatal and disabling diseases, especially cancer. Sixty-five per cent of all men and 33 per cent of all women in India use tobacco in some form. According to a report in the Indian Journal of Community Medicine, nearly half the cancer cases in India are tobacco-related. Oral cancer is a major public health problem in our country and has long been linked with the habit of chewing betel laced with tobacco.

As many as 8,00,000 Indians succumb every year to tobacco-related illnesses and most of them die before they have reached 40 years of age. WHO has projected that by 2020 tobacco will account for 13 per cent of all deaths in India.

The tax structure in India is skewed towards making tobacco products more affordable. Taxes levied on cigarettes are 30 times that imposed on bidis and chewing tobacco. Poorer people in India, particularly in rural areas, take to bidis and chewing tobacco. Bidi smokers have a 40 per cent higher risk of developing cancer than cigarette smokers. However, 38 per cent of tobacco in India is consumed as bidis, 48 per cent as chewing tobacco, and only 14 per cent as cigarettes. Considering the above, one would expect that the government would take steps to curb and eventually eliminate the cultivation of tobacco and production of tobacco products, instead of imposing cosmetic restrictions like banning the depiction of smoking in movies or depicting skull and crossbones on cigarette packs.

The government is not interested in striking at the roots of the tobacco menace because of vote-bank politics. The tobacco industry employs nearly 35 million people in the country including six million farmers, 20 million farm workers, 4.4 million bidi-making workers, 2.2 million tribals engaged in gathering tendu leaves (which go into bidi covers) and two million traders/retailers. The government can, perhaps, forgo the Rs 6,000 crore annual tax revenue from tobacco products but it would be hard put to withstand the wrath of the millions thrown out of work in case cultivation of tobacco is banned.

What about alternatives to tobacco for farmers? According to the findings of the Central Tobacco Research Institute, there are virtually no crops that match tobacco's levels of remuneration in relevant regions. In southern Andhra Pradesh, chillies come a poor second. In Karnataka, Gujarat, Bihar and West Bengal, cotton, pearl millet, maize and potato, respectively, are nowhere near tobacco in terms of earnings. Does this imply that we will have to live with the menace of tobacco and sacrifice a million or so lives a year so that 35 million can eke out a living? Not if tobacco farmers are made to take up alternative crops and the government makes up part of the difference in earnings through a subsidy.

As for bidi rollers, perhaps they can be trained to make other products from tendu leaves, such as plates and cups which can be environmentally superior alternatives to plastic products. Large consumers like the Railways, defence forces, marriage contractors can be induced to purchase these products in bulk from bidi-roller cooperatives. This will also keep intact the tendu-gathering income of tribals. All this will cost governments in the Centre and states far less than the price of medical treatment of tobacco victims

online available at - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Editorial/Smoke_it_out/articleshow/2251745.cms

Stubbed out for life?

The Times of India

July 31, 2007


News- Stubbed out for life?

The impending non-smoking ban by the government in public is ready to kick some butt! In the wake of London banning smoking in public on July 1, Indian Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anbumani Ramadoss wants to make India a tobacco-free nation too.

Smoking kills, but no smoking is killing smoke addicts in the city, believes Ramadoss. With his statement, the government will soon take stringent measures against smoking at all public places — bars, restaurants, offices and hotels or any place where there is an employee.

Even smoking at home in the presence of your spouse or domestic help might invite action from the government! Amitabh Bachchan is possibly the most famous non-smoker in the world and his son Abhishek, too, has stubbed out the nicotine stick (or Cuban cigar) in favour of a healthier lifestyle. India is the third-largest producer of tobacco leaves in the world, after China and Brazil.

Ninety-five billion cigarettes and 850 billion beedis are produced in India every year giving rise to millions of cancer patients. Ramadoss’s statement has generated a lot of heat amongst smokers and non-smokers across the city. Presenting some of the reactions:

Abhishek Bachchan, Actor — If you tell the youth today that cigarettes are bad, that's not enough. They need an explanation. My eight-year-old niece has an opinion on things. She wants to know why. For that matter, me too. I just won’t take your word for it. There should be restrictions in moderation otherwise we wouldn’t be a democracy or a free world. I can understand banning smoking in public places — it’s justifiable, but it’s pushing it a bit too far by not allowing one to smoke in one’s house or take consent for the same from people around you.

Nikhil Daswani, Businessman — It’s high time they did that. Passive smoking is killing non-smokers and I think the move is justified for health reasons. Passive smoking is killing innocent people across the world and as courtesy to your loved ones, one should smoke in open areas where their health is not at stake. Anjori Alagh, Actress — I think more than smoking they should ban drinking! There are more deaths in the world due to that.

Nirmal Zaveri, Jeweller — It’s absolutely absurd! Nowhere in the world can they do this. Everywhere else you can smoke in your house and cigar designated areas like cigar lounges at airports etc. I don’t think this law can come into force.

Rahul Akerkar, Restaurateur — Is there such a law? Everybody has a right to do what they want. I am not going tell my employees what to do — they are all adults. Though I will abide by the law when it comes into force.

Vipul Shah, Filmmaker — It’s ridiculous! According to me, it’s a big joke and this is going to go nowhere. Imagine your maid complaining against you to the government! We keep on adding more responsibilities to our society without fulfilling one-tenth of what is already there. There are so many unsolved problems in our country and a new one has surfaced. This is the silliest of all!


online available at- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bombay_Times/Stubbed_out_for_life_/articleshow/2244387.cms

India to declare all work places as tobacco-free

July 20, 2007

News- India to declare all work places as tobacco-free

The government on Friday announced that all places of work in the country will be declared smoke free and those found flouting the law will be strictly punished.
"All workplaces in India will be tobacco-free and this will come into enforcement in another three to four months time," Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said.

He was speaking to reporters after receiving the World Health Organisation Director-General's Special Award for taking several initiatives for tobacco control in the country.

The minister said the law will be implemented in restaurants, hotels, airports and all those places where people work.
"People can then smoke on roads or homes, provided their wives allow them," he said, adding that even at home they will have to seek the permission of their maids as they are their employee.

"Anyone flouting the law will be strictly punished." He said the law will be strictly applied keeping in mind the smoke-free indoors policy WHO, which was adopted as passive smokers are found to be more at danger as compared to those who actually smoke.
"We need to protect our women and children," he said.

Ramadoss also announced setting up of a Health Minister Cancer Fund, which he said will be run by professionals and reputed individuals.
Inviting corporates and multi-national companies to contribute for the fund, he said the money will be used to treat those youngsters suffering from cancer.

there are one billion new cancer cases every year. We want to help out the deprived section of the society. Let us fight till India is declared tobacco-free," he said.
Ramadoss said there are existing laws under which punishment can be given to those who smoke at workplace.
"We have existing laws. But they are not followed. But we are going to implement them now. This law will be applicable to all buildings and offices," he said.

On receiving the award, he said, "I dedicate the award for the people of India, especially those who have lost their lives because of smoking and they could have been saved.
"It is just the beginning. We have to get lot many awards. This is the beginning of our war against tobacco. We have a long way to go and we will fight till the end. Indians will come together and say enough is enough. That day is not far when India is tobacco free. We have to collectively fight together with passion."

Citing the example of a village, Varnavasi in Tamil Nadu, Ramadoss said that the village head, who is an illiterate man, has declared the village as tobacco-free.
He also cited the example of Chandigarh which is the first Indian city to be tobacco-free.
The minister said 40 per cent of all diseases are due to tobacco. While the tobacco industry is worth Rs 40,000 crore (Rs 400 billion), the spending on treatment and creation of awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco cost the same, he said.

online available at- http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2007/jul/20smoke.htm

Maid will decide if you can smoke at home!

The Economic Times

July 26, 2007

News- Maid will decide if you can smoke at home!

NEW DELHI: If you want to smoke at home, you will have to seek the permission of your maid. This is the new directive of Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, who wants to make India, including homes and workplaces, tobacco-free. The tobacco-free workplaces rule will come into effect in another three to four months, he told reporters here today.

“All workplaces in India will be tobacco-free. People can then smoke on roads or homes, provided their wives allow them. But even at home, they will have to seek the permission of their maids as they are their employees,” said Ramadoss. “All places of work in the country will be declared smoke -free and those found flouting the law will be strictly punished. This rule will apply wherever there are employees working,” he said.

Ramadoss said this will be implemented in restaurants, hotels, airports and all places where people work. The law will be strictly applied, he said, keeping in mind the smoke-free indoors policy of WHO, which was adopted as passive smokers are found to be more at danger as compared to those who actually smoke. “We need to protect our women and children,” he said after receiving the World Health Organisation (WHO) Director- General’s Special Award for several initiatives for tobacco control in the country.

Ramadoss also announced the setting up of a Health Minister’s Cancer Fund, which he said will be run by professionals and reputed individuals. Inviting corporate and multinational companies to contribute to the fund, he said the money will be used to treat youngsters suffering from cancer. “There are one billion new cancer cases every year. We want to help the deprived section of society. Let us fight till India is declared tobacco-free,” Ramadoss said.

online available at- http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Maid_will_decide_if_you_can_smoke_at_home/articleshow/2222097.cms

Even smoking at home can be a crime

The Economic Times

July 26, 2007

New Delhi

News- Even smoking at home can be a crime

NEW DELHI: Forget bars and restaurants, even smoking at home in the presence of a domestic help might invite action from the government. Minister for health and family welfare Anbumani Ramadoss said on Friday that the government would soon take stringent measures against smoking at all public places or any place where there is an employee.

“We are going to take stringent measures against smoking at public places like hotels, bars and restaurants... in fact, any place where there are employees,” Ramadoss said, speaking at a ceremony here where he was awarded the World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General's Special Award for Tobacco Control for the year 2007.

“Even at home, if you smoke and there is a maid present, action can be taken against you,” he said. “If you have to smoke, then go to the roads.” The minister said The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act 2003 was an effective Act, but it was the enforcement that needed to be tightened.

“We have got a very vibrant Act on tobacco control, but the enforcement has been loose. We are soon going to set up a drug regulatory authority which will help us in our fight against tobacco.” Ramadoss said the new authority would be a professional body and the US’ Federal Drug Agency (FDA) has given lots of inputs for this.

Apart from thanking the WHO, family, friends and colleagues for the award, the minister also thanked the media. “I have to thank a very special group for this award. It is called the media. It is the media that called me a ‘fool’ and ‘stupid’ and even questioned my MBBS degree when I called for a ban on smoking in films and television.” He said every year, there are a million cases of cancer in India because of tobacco use.

“We spend Rs 40,000 crore (Rs 400 billion) annually on tobacco control. Our fight will continue and I am confident that India will soon become a tobacco-free country,” the minister added. Congratulating Chandigarh for becoming the first city in India to be tobacco-free, the minister said: “In Tamil Nadu, there is a village called Varanavasi where the panchayat leader is an illiterate. And he has gone on to make the village totally free of tobacco. These are the people who will help us make India a tobacco-free nation.” Earlier, presenting the award to Ramadoss, WHO regional director, South-East Asia, Samlee Plianbangchang commended the minister for carrying out an effective campaign against tobacco.

“Dr Ramadoss has efficiently and effectively steered the process of implementing rules and regulations related to the ban on tobacco smoking in public places and on tobacco advertising, as well as restricting access to tobacco products by youth,” he said. Giving damning statistics about tobacco use in India, the WHO regional director said: “India is the third-largest producer of tobacco leaves in the world, after China and Brazil. Ninety-five billion cigarettes and 850 billion beedis are produced in India every year.”

He lauded Ramadoss for the steps he has taken to “safeguard future generations from the devastating consequences of tobacco use”. The WHO award is given annually to mark the World No Tobacco Day. According to the WHO, the award is a “global recognition of the dynamic leadership” of Ramadoss under which India took rapid strides in tobacco control.

“The tobacco control measures initiated and implemented by the ministry of health and family welfare under the able stewardship of Dr Anbumani Ramadoss have been widely acclaimed at the regional and global levels, and have set a praiseworthy precedent for other countries to follow,” he said, reading out from the citation for the award. The WHO award is given annually to mark the World No Tobacco Day. According to the WHO, the award is a “global recognition of the dynamic leadership” of Ramadoss under which India took rapid strides in tobacco control.

online available at- http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Even_smoking_at_home_can_be_a_crime/articleshow/2222415.cms

Warning: Poison

Warning: Poison

News- Times of India

July 17, 2007

The skull and bones symbol is the most easily recognised warning sign. Areas or products with this sign are avoided. To do otherwise would be to court danger, even death. Then why is the information and broadcasting ministry coy about using the sign on tobacco product packages?

In countries where the issue is taken seriously to safeguard public health, graphic health warnings are accompanied by statements like: 'Smoking can cause a slow, painful death' and 'Tobacco smoke can kill babies', covering 40-90 per cent of surface area of the package. In India, most cigarette packs carry a statutory warning: 'Cigarette Smoking is Injurious to Health'. In fine print, located at the bottom of the face of the packet, the warning, barely visible, is more in the nature of an apology. Cautionary notices warning cigarette smokers against the ill effects of tobacco are more an obligatory ritual than a serious campaign to deter tobacco users.

That all tobacco products — including cigarettes, bidi and gutka — ought to display the skull and bones sign was recommended by a standing committee of Parliament in the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Bill, 2000. In the wake of growing opposition from tobacco growers, members of Parliament and ministers have become reluctant to support any overt display of deterrent signs on tobacco products.

The argument is that such signs would scare consumers away from these products, adversely affecting demand, forcing a million workers out of their jobs. This, however, need not happen. Tobacco companies, like ITC, for instance, are diversifying to hotels and agro-products, moving away from tobacco, and more jobs are being created in these areas. Even if it does cause temporary dislocation, that by itself does not make smoking a healthy activity that cannot be discouraged. Society often has to assert choices in favour of outcomes that enhance the general well-being of people even if there is a temporary cost to bear for certain groups. Symbols are important in a country like India where literacy rates are low and superstition rides high.

Bidi and gutka are consumed largely by the poor, most of who are illiterate. When developed countries worldwide are moving away from tobacco use, by imposing bans in work and public places and levying heavy fines on violators and vigorously promoting anti-smoking awareness campaigns, why are countries like India and China acting shy?

online available at- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Editorial/Warning_Poison/articleshow/2205654.cms

Meeting on tobacco inconclusive

The Hindu

July 12, 2007

News - Meeting on tobacco inconclusive

GoM will meet shortly, says Anbumani Ramadoss

NEW DELHI: The Group of Ministers (GoM), set up to decide on the issue of having pictorial warnings on tobacco products, met here on Wednesday, but could not reach any conclusion.
Speaking to reporters, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said several issues were raised during the two-hour meeting, such as apprehensions of loss of jobs and religious sentiments over the proposed warning. “We are going to meet again shortly … perhaps within this month,” he said.
The meeting was chaired by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, and attended by Union Ministers Kamal Nath, Priyaranjan Das Munsi, Jaipal Reddy and Oscar Fernandes.
The main issue was a proposal by the Health Ministry to display the “skull and crossbones” symbol on the packets of all tobacco products as a warning about the ill-effects of tobacco use.
The warning was approved by a Parliament sub-committee in 2003, and was scheduled to come into effect from last month. It has been kept in abeyance following opposition, in particular from the beedi industry. Several parties and leaders from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, which have a large beedi industry, have given representations to the Government against the warning.

Stringent steps

Pointing out that studies had shown that about 1 million cases of cancer were diagnosed every year and that nearly half of cancer cases in men were tobacco-related, Dr. Ramadoss said countries across the world were taking stringent steps to curb tobacco consumption, following the adoption of an international framework convention.
The United Kingdom, for instance, had banned smoking in workplaces and public places and so had Ireland.

online available at- http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/12/stories/2007071253130900.htm