By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The rise of tobacco-related Cancer in the State, which turns out to be one of the highest in the country, has alarmed the government functionaries who termed this disease as ‘the biggest killer in the world’.
A survey conducted by the State Cancer Society of Meghalaya (SCSM) focussing on tobacco reduction in young adults in the four districts of East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi and Jaintia Hills, had found that the highest consumption of tobacco among the youth between the age group of 13-16 in the State occurs in Jaintia Hills and Ri Bhoi district.
“It is a very sad sight to see that our young people are unaware of the deadly effects of tobacco,” specialist and member secretary of SCSM, Dr Judita Syiemlieh, said.
Dr Syiemlieh was addressing the gathering on the occasion of ‘World No Tobacco Day’ laying special emphasis on tobacco reduction in young adults under the DAE project here on Thursday.
Presenting the 2006 survey which is still in force till date, Dr Syiemlieh said class IX and X students in all the four districts of the State were found to consume tobacco in its various forms. Roughly 32 per cent and 4.6 per cent boys and girls respectively of class IX and around 37.75 per cent and 14.47 per cent of boys and girls respectively of class X were addicted to tobacco consumption.
The SCSM member informed that about 79.69 per cent of the class IX students and 84.5 per cent of the class X students consume tobacco due to peer pressure.
“Jaintia Hills and Ri Bhoi districts have the highest number of students who are indulged in tobacco consumption due to peer pressure,” she added while expressing disappointment over the non-involvement of parents and teachers in this respect.
She however, stated that the awareness on the ill effect of tobacco consumption which have reached these students is quite impressive and as far as awareness of the COPTA Act 2003 is concerned, the response was quite impressive except for Ri Bhoi and Jaintia Hills districts.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister and in charge Health and Family Welfare, Rowell Lyngdoh, stated that the State Government is taking all initiatives to disseminate information to the public on the harmful effects and consequences of tobacco stating that “almost 90 per cent of cancer cases are due to tobacco”.
He said that the State Government is promulgating the COPTA Act to ensure that the number of people consuming tobacco is lessened. “We are determined to fight cancer in its various forms,” he added.
Questioning the desire of the people to consume tobacco despite knowing its outcome, the Deputy Chief Minister said awareness is the need of the hour in Meghalaya.
Stating that cancer is the second biggest killer after Tuberculosis in the country, Commissioner and Secretary in charge Health, DP Wahlang, said death due to cancer in the country is increasing every year by 11 per cent.
“Every year, there are four lakh deaths due to cancer which indicates that every day around 2,500 people die due to cancer,” Wahlang said.
Earlier, participants assembled at the State Central Library and organized a ‘march for smart health’ wherein they marched up to Pinewood Hotel. The march was flagged-off by Deputy Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, JR Marak.