Growing prevalence of second-hand smoke (passive smoking) has emerged as a major global health challenge.
India being the second largest tobacco consumer and the third largest tobacco producer is waging a grim battle against tobacco consumption, which according to the current trends, would cause 13 per cent deaths in India.
On the occasion of No Smoking Day, students and faculty members of NRI Medical College, Chinakakani, took out a rally on Wednesday.
D. Pragathi, associate professor, Department of Chest Studies, NRI Medical College, and consultant physician, Guntur City Hospitals, said that second-hand smoke was the cause of deaths due to cancer and heart diseases in adults who are not smokers.
“Women exposed to second-hand smoking during pregnancy are at increased risk of having a low-weight baby and of delivering preterm infants.”
“Even small children are vulnerable to the menace because their lung structure and immune system are in the process of development and their defence mechanisms are not fully formed,” she said.
Key initiative
Readiness to quit was one of the key steps in the process towards tobacco cessation. Tobacco control legislation should be backed by compliance. Banning of smoking in public places was an important step in reducing the exposure to passive smoking,” Dr. Pragathi said.
Project Quit Tobacco International (QTI) is a body formed by health professionals with an aim to develop, refine, and promote a community-based smoke-free homes initiative.
Findings from these focus groups showed that women had little self-efficacy to change smoking habit among the men in their own households. Women were, however, interested in the possible collective efficacy of a community-wide ban. Awareness should begin at the level of PHC doctor who could address the community at an educational meeting.
Women exposed to second-hand smoking during pregnancy are at increased risk of having a low-weight baby.
D. Pragathi
Associate professor, NRI Medical College
