Agra, May 30, 2024
Tobacco is harmful to health, especially for TB patients. Although the country is committed to eliminating TB by 2024, a significant barrier to this program is tobacco use among TB patients. Patients who smoke actively, passively, chew gutka, or use snuff, hinder their recovery by reducing their immune response. According to a report published by the World Health Organization in May 2022, tobacco smoking was a major cause of TB cases worldwide in 2020, accounting for seven hundred thirty thousand cases.
Dr. Arun Srivastava, Chief Medical Officer, stated that under the National TB Elimination Program, TB patients are advised to quit tobacco and alcohol consumption along with medication. Patients are explained that smoking weakens the lungs, leading to increased complications. Those exposed to passive smoking also have twice the risk of contracting TB. The time to recover from TB for patients who use tobacco, gutka, and snuff is prolonged compared to regular TB patients, and the chances of complications are higher.
Every form of tobacco is harmful
Nodal Officer Dr. Surendra Mohan Prajapati stated that tobacco, not only in smoking form but also in the form of gutka, is harmful to TB patients. The consumption of these substances reduces the patient's immune capacity, increasing the risk of malnutrition, which hinders treatment. Every TB patient is advised to openly discuss their tobacco use habits with their doctor. Such patients are also advised to consider seeking help from de-addiction centers or call the toll-free number 011-22901701.
Quitting tobacco consumption in the district:
According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) data, 46.1% of men in the district use tobacco in some form. According to these figures, 8.9% of women also consume tobacco.
There are various types of damages
The CMHO stated that tobacco consumption can cause cancer in the mouth, throat, lungs, and stomach. If women smoke, they may give birth to underweight babies or experience fetal death in the womb. After birth, these babies may suffer from various serious diseases. For people already affected by TB, tobacco and smoking can exacerbate difficulties. He mentioned that out of the 7000 chemicals present in tobacco, more than 250 are extremely harmful. The tar, benzene, and radioactive elements found in cigarettes not only form roads to addiction but also create pathways to death when they enter the body. Every year, 60 crore trees are cut down for cigarette production, wasting 22 billion liters of water. Smoking produces 84 crore tons of carbon dioxide, which is harmful to the environment and human life.
Ways to quit this habit:
Seek help from a psychiatrist to quit tobacco consumption.
Instead of gradually quitting this habit, it is advisable to quit it with strong willpower at once. By avoiding alcohol, one can quit tobacco.
Tobacco can also be quit by consuming alternative items such as cardamom, pomegranate seeds, roasted fennel, and rock sugar.
Nicotine replacement therapy, yoga, pranayama, and mobile apps can also help quit this habit.