Dr Narender Saini, Former General Secretary of the Indian Medical Association, said “Tobacco use affects both the health and economy. The burden of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality has been on the rise. Respiratory ailments, cardiovascular diseases and various forms of cancer dominate the landscape, claiming lives prematurely. The economic ramifications are equally profound
India’s growth story has amazed economists and financial experts. Top rating agencies of the world have acknowledged that India will be the fastest growing economy among the G-20 nations in 2024. In the previous three quarters, India’s economy expanded at 7.8 per cent in Q1, 7.6 per cent in Q2 and 8.4 per cent in Q3.
However, the country’s economy has a small dent that is resulting in a part of the financial growth going up in smoke – almost literally.
A report by KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services report titled Human-Centric Approach to Tobacco Control has revealed that India loses precious 1 per cent of the GDP every year due to diseases and early deaths from tobacco use.
India ranks second globally in tobacco and it is the highly productive age group that is succumbing to the temptation to use tobacco and tobacco-related products. In India, there is an alarming prevalence of tobacco smoking among the 20-44 age group (young adults).
As per KPMG 2023 survey on tobacco consumption, about 49% respondents in this age group consume tobacco in both smoking and oral form.
Dr Narender Saini, Former General Secretary of the Indian Medical Association, said “Tobacco use affects both the health and economy. The burden of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality has been on the rise. Respiratory ailments, cardiovascular diseases and various forms of cancer dominate the landscape, claiming lives prematurely. The economic ramifications are equally profound.
“Families grappling with the consequences of tobacco-related diseases face financial hardship, often pushing many households into poverty. It is worrisome to see men in their prime age report with major lung impairment due to tobacco use. And it is sad that some of these bread-winners succumb to lung diseases.”
India also faces a dual challenge with both, smoking and oral tobacco use. With 250 million smokers between the ages of 16 and 64 as of 2018, India has the second highest number of tobacco users, says the report.
This is because in India, legally produced cigarettes account for just 8% of the overall tobacco consumed, the remaining 92% of consumption is in the form of cheaper tobacco products such as bidis, chewing tobacco, khaini among others.
Says Chhavi Gupta, DM – Infectious Disease, Senior Consultant at Yashoda Super-specialty Hospital, Kaushambi, Ghaziabad, an accomplished healthcare professional: “Efforts should be made to harness the power of technology that can amplify outreach efforts”.
Dr Gupta further adds, “There should also be an enhanced focus on making Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) affordable and accessible.”