Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), one of the leading multi-specialty Hospitals in South India, launched a unique signature campaign against the use of tobacco on the occasion of ‘World No Tobacco Day’.

‘World No Tobacco Day’ is observed around the world every year on May 31. As part of the campaign, doctors, para-medical staff, patients and visitors at KIMS hospital at Secunderabad have signed for the noble cause to make people aware of the dangerous effects and diseases caused due to consumption of tobacco.

This initiative of KIMS comes in the light of growing challenges due to excessive use of tobacco in all forms such as smoking and chewing of tobacco. It is estimated that a total number of 190 million people are the first hand smokers in India comprising both men and women. Of them, women constitute 12 million. Second hand smokers or Passive smokers, who are close to the smokers like family and friends are suffering from respiratory diseases. Significantly, smoking has been coming down among the men and drastically going up among the women.

Tobacco usage among women has been on rise, causing fertility problems among women. There is a possibility of about 13 per cent of smoking women being childless.

Speaking about the campaign, the doctors at KIMS said that tobacco usage has become common amongst youth. It needs a strict vigil. Smoking and chewing of tobacco and has disastrous effects on women and children too who are usually exposed to passive smoking.

Doctors at KIMS said that there are ways to contain smoking such as counselling. KIMS offers assistance programme to those who are addicted to smoking and chewing tobacco.

The menace of smoking and chewing tobacco needs stricter regulation in India. Even though the government of India has put policies in place such as prohibition of smoking in public, prohibition of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco and tobacco packaging and labelling with health warning. But the implementation of these policies needs to be tighter.

United States of America has been successful in containing the smoking habits. In USA, smoking has come down at least by 20 per cent in the last decade due to strong regulatory systems, enlightening education system and psychological counselling practices in the country.