The estimates in the report of the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative, prepared as part of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016, will go a long way in raising awareness about preventing premature deaths in India (OpEd page, “A tool kit to think local”, November 27). While the study describes three types of risk factors for major diseases in India, it does not mention tobacco use, smoking and chewing to be among them.
Studies in India and other parts of the world have shown that 50% of smoker fatality is on account of these habits; this category also has a shorter life expectancy when compared to a non-smoker. Tobacco smoking is a major risk factor in developing cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer and chronic obstructive lung diseases. It also increases a person’s risk of developing tuberculosis.
Dr. Gajalakshmi Vendhan,
Chennai
