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Large-scale awareness campaigns against tobacco have been run in India for years. The central government has tightened the rules, making large pictorial health warnings on packets mandatory. But despite all these efforts, a very worrying picture is emerging before us. In today’s time, the scope of tobacco is not limited to just traditional cigarettes or beedis. Hookah, vaping (E-Cigarettes) and different flavored tobacco products are rapidly spreading among today’s youth and teenagers.
The biggest problem is that the young generation is adopting them considering them as ‘cool’ or ‘less harmful option’, whereas the reality is completely opposite and very scary.
The confusing web of social media and the illusion of being ‘less harmful’
In today’s digital age, vaping or blowing smoke rings in hookah lounges, cafes and social media platforms is being presented as a ‘modern lifestyle choice’. Attractive packaging and sweet flavors easily attract the youth. Scientific studies have made it completely clear that the chemicals and nicotine used in e-cigarettes and vaping devices cause as much harm to the lungs as normal cigarettes. Nicotine is such an element which becomes addictive very fast and once in its grip, getting out of it becomes like a maze.
Serious concerns from a pulmonologist (lung doctor)
“What worries me most as a doctor today is that serious lung diseases are no longer seen only in elderly or middle-aged people who have been heavy smokers for decades. On the contrary, young people between 18 and 25 years of age coming to the clinic are now showing early signs of lung weakness. The surprising thing is that many of these youth do not even consider themselves regular tobacco users, because they think that occasionally smoking hookah or Using vape does not fall in the same category as smoking. This difference of perception is the biggest danger.”
Tobacco’s all-round attack on the developing brain and body
The human body and brain continue to develop during adolescence and early adulthood. Inhaling nicotine or any kind of poisonous smoke into the body at this delicate age proves to be extremely dangerous:
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Effect on brain structure: Nicotine directly affects the chemical structure of the brain. This causes lack of concentration, mental stress, irritability and the ability to learn and understand for a long time becomes weak (Cognitive Abilities).
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Invisible and Silent Inflammation: In the initial stages, the damage to the lungs is not visible from outside nor are any serious symptoms visible immediately. But inflammation persists in the inner parts of the lungs.
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Chronic diseases: This silent damage later makes the youth victims of life-threatening respiratory diseases like Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) at a very young age.
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Danger of passive smoking: Despite not smoking yourself, coming in contact with that smoke while sitting in a hookah bar or among friends (Passive Smoking) is equally dangerous. This has a very bad effect on the health of the people around and especially the children.
Need for new methods of prevention and awareness
Traditional anti-tobacco messages often focus on diseases such as cancer, which occur many years later. The youth see these warnings and think that this will not happen to them. So now we have to change the methods of awareness. We need to make youth understand that tobacco and vaping are immediately affecting their physical ability, stamina and quality of life today.
in this direction The Uttar Pradesh government has taken a very commendable and important initiative.. The state government has issued strict instructions to declare all educational institutions (schools and colleges) as completely ‘tobacco free zones’. Its main objective is to prevent children and adolescents from being exposed to any form of tobacco at an early age.
Collective responsibility of parents, teachers and society
This problem will not be solved just by making laws, but active efforts will have to be made at every level:
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early onset: There should be open and practical conversations on the harms of tobacco and vaping within schools and colleges.
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Parental monitoring: Parents and teachers need to keep an eye on the changing behavior of children, their company and the sudden introduction of new gadgets (like vape pens).
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Role of doctors: During routine checkups, doctors should also ask the youth openly about their lifestyle and occasional smoking.
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Government De-addiction Services: The youth or citizens who want to give up this addiction can consult their doctor without any hesitation or National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) You can take help of free government de-addiction services and counseling available under this scheme.
World No Tobacco Day reminds us every year that prevention is always better than cure. Staying away from tobacco is not just a personal decision of any one person, but a big responsibility to make the entire society healthy and strong.
