India has the third highest
number of female tobacco users in the world. Of the estimated 11.9 million
female consumers of tobacco in India 5.4 million smoke it and rest chews the
leaves. Tobacco in any form is life threatening and is considered health
hazard.
According to the report worldwide tobacco consumption could
kill six million people in 2010 and one third of those people would die of
cancer. About 25% of smokers die or become ill during their most productive
years, adversely impacting families as well as economies. Earlier Tobacco
killed more men than women but this is slowly changing as smoking rates are
increasing among women in many countries including India and particularly among
young women. The gap between tobacco death rates between men and women is
closing. Female smokers in India are dying eight years earlier than their
non-smoking peer group. Smoking creates health problems among women especially
reproductive health .It not only adversely affect the health of eggs produced
;it could compromise the health of the expectant mother and the fetus. It is
true for passive smokers as well. Tobacco consumers are more vulnerable to
disease especially cancer and particularly lung cancer. There are many factors
leading to increase in women smoking. Smoking dulls the appetite and is seen as
convenient and easy way of following diet plan to help weight loss. In rural
areas by default women catch the smoking habit as they are required to light their
husband’s hukkas .Some women smoke beedis as past time. Indian government
should do more public awareness campaigns.
Ms.Vineeta Bhardwaj
(Admin Manager)
Asha USA Mini Medicine Citi
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