Butts to be injurious to eye

Smoking is injurious to health. Around 99% of the people addicted to smoking are well aware of this fact. And yet they smoke. In an attempt to make smokers aware of the harmful effects of smoking, the Union Health and Family Welfare Department has mandated that all cigarette and beedi packets should have a pictorial depiction of the ill-effects of smoking.

A picture, after all, can speak a thousand words. Come May 31, every cigarette packet will have the picture of a diseased lung on it. “It has been mandated that 40% of a cigarette or beedi packet should be displaying the diseased lung,” said Usha Vasankar, director, health and family welfare department.

That’s not all. Around 40% of a packet of chewing tobacco substances like gutkha and khaini should display a picture of a crab, symbolising cancer. “This should be implemented from May 31, which means, any tobacco product manufactured on or after this date should have to abide by this regulation. This has to be implemented by the customs and excise department. And action will be taken against anyone found violating the rule by sub-inspectors of police or officials above this rank,” said Vasankar.

However, will the pictorial display of a diseased lung dissuade people from smoking? Well, it is definitely going to be of some help to people who are illiterate. “There are many not-so-educated people who are aware of the fact that smoking is harmful to their health, but are not aware of the ways in which cigarette can harm them. Picture of a diseased lung will definitely help them realise that smoking can lead to lung cancer,” said Sudha Raghavendra, programme manager,  Tobacco Cessation Clinic, Nimhans.

The twice-a-week clinic treats around 10 people every week, mostly between 20 and 40 years of age. “After the counselling session of tobacco cessation around 20 to 25 per cent of the addicts quit smoking definitely. But there are others who quit for the time being but relapse after few months. Follow-up sessions are important for cessation. But most addicts are reluctant about follow-ups,” she said.

However, many feel the pictorial depiction of the diseased lung will not be of any great help. “People who smoke are already well aware of the dangers of smoking. They don’t lack knowledge. They smoke because of addiction. Also, a recent study says that around 10% people quit smoking after attending NGO and government anti-smoking campaigns,” said Suresh Shottam, a smoking cessation therapist.

Around 70% desire to quit, but only 30% actually try each year, and only three to five per cent actually succeed in doing so.“Tobacco dependence is a chronic condition that often requires repeated intervention. However, effective treatments exist and they can produce permanent abstinence,” said Dr PP Bapsi, senior consultant, medical oncologist, Apollo Hospital, Bangalore. The pictorial depiction on the cigarette packets are better than putting a word of caution, feels the doctor.