East Sikkim observed “ World No Tobacco Day” based on theme “ GET READY FOR PLAIN PACKAGING”

Gangtok: The East District National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) cell,Dept of Health Care, Human service & Family welfare  observed “ World NO Tobacco Day”  on 31 May 2016 in different schools in East district .

Dr Sidhant basnett ( Rongli PHC), Dr Roshni Tamang ( Machong PHC), Dr Rojesh Gurung ( Rangpo PHC), Dr Shetal Chettri ( Samdong PHC), Dr Priyanka Pradhan ( Rhenock PHC), Dr Tsewang Bhutia ( Pakyong PHC), Dr Bunnu Pakimo ( Sang PHC)  and Dr MP Sharma ( Singtam DH) conducted “ awareness cum sensitization programs” regarding harmful effects of tobacco chewing and smoking  in 7 different schools in East District. They visited Rongli JHS, Machong SSS, Kameray Primary School, Lower Samdong Secondary School, Rhenock JHS, Khamdong  SSS and Aho Shanti JHS.

Dr Sidhant basnett ( Rongli PHC) said that the campaign aims to educate school students regarding the health consequences of smoking and chewing tobacco products. Dr Roshni Tamang highlighted that the tobacco is also a chemical substance containing NICOTINE ( addictive chemical) which is more addictive than heroin.  Tobacco is considered to be a gateway drug because it opens the door to the world of other substance addiction. Dr Rojesh Gurung informed that tobacco also contains approx 4000 harmful chemicals that are responsible for several cancers, hypertension, diabetes and other 60 Non-communicable diseases. It is important that the children are aware of these diseases to discourage them to initiate tobacco use. Dr Priyanka Pradhan ( Dentist)  leads to white, leathery patches (leukoplakia) that form on the inside of the cheek or on the gum.

These patches can turn into cancer of the mouth (oral cancer), involving the lip, tongue, or cheek. Dental problems, such as abrasion of teeth, gum recessions, and periodontal bone loss are very common. Therefore, it is very important to teach children to maintain dental hygiene by avoiding tobacco misuse. Dr Bunnu Pakimo shared that she would like to educate adolescent girls the ill-effects of tobacco use during pregnancy.  Smoking by women ( first hand or second hand smoking ) during pregnancy can lead to stillbirth, low birth weight baby, Intrauterine death of fetus, miscarriages, respiratory problems in newborn, premature rupture of membrane etc. Pregnant women should seriously quit tobacco use and partners should also support their pregnant wife by quitting smoking to prevent harms to developing fetus ( baby).  Dr Shetal Chettri said that quitting is difficult but not impossible.

Nowadays medicine to fight against tobacco addiction is available. People who are seriously attempting to quit can visit Tobacco cessation Clinic at  Singtam District Hospital for quitting tobacco.  Dr Tsewang Bhutia stressed that  tobacco use is a leading cause of cancer and of death from cancer. People who use tobacco products or who are regularly around environmental tobacco smoke (also called secondhand smoke) have an increased risk of cancer because tobacco products and secondhand smoke have many chemicals that damage DNA.

Tobacco use causes many types of cancer, including cancer of the lung, larynx (voice box), mouth, esophagus, throat, bladder, kidney, liver, stomach, pancreas, colon and rectum, and cervix, as well as acute myeloid leukemia. People who use smokeless tobacco (snuff or chewing tobacco) have increased risks of cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas.

There is no safe level of tobacco use. People who use any type of tobacco product are strongly urged to quit. People who quit smoking, regardless of their age, have substantial gains in life expectancy compared with those who continue to smoke. Also, quitting smoking at the time of a cancer diagnosis reduces the risk of death.