SHILLONG: Meghalaya ranks 5th with 47 per cent tobacco users and 2nd with 31.6 per cent smokers in the North East.
The state also has the highest incidence of esophageal (food pipe) cancer in the country.
This was revealed in the Global Adult Tobacco Survey-2 for 2016-2017.
Tobacco use is the world’s leading single cause of death and one of the largest preventable causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. Each year, 7 million people die from tobacco related causes, of which 1.2 million die in India from smoking alone. 80 per cent of oral cancer is attributed to tobacco use. In the run-up to the observation of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, there is a growing need for the enforcement squad of the state government to monitor the implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).
With regard to the COPTA, the District Medical and Health Officer, East Khasi Hills will organise a programme to create awareness to the public especially on the hazards of tobacco consumption.
When pointed out that the COPTA has been flouted several times by citizens, an official from the National Tobacco Control Programme told The Shillong Times that the enforcement squad should look in to the matter seriously.
The official also said that heads of different institutions should remain vigilant as many students are using tobacco products.
Section 6 (a) and (b) of the COPTA states about prohibition on sale of cigarette or other tobacco products to a person below the age of eighteen years and in particular areas such as educational institutions. As stated in section 24 of the act, a person who violates the section shall be guilty of an offence and will be punished.
The official informed that awareness programmes are being conducted in all districts and schools.
The official also said that tobacco consumption affects pregnant mothers and added that the colour and weight of the child is greatly affected. “Smoking also leads to impotency in both boys and girls. Passive smokers also suffer quite a lot leading to lung problems,” he said.
Preventive steps
The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), NHM started in Meghalaya in 2013-14 under the 12th Five Year Plan with an aim to prevent initiation of tobacco use among youth and adults and to promote quitting of tobacco use.
A State Level Coordination Committee (SLCC) and a District Level Coordination Committee has been constituted comprising various stake holders from different departments.