World No Tobacco Day | Know the close link between tobacco and cancer
Smoking — the most common form of tobacco consumption, is a leading cause of cancer, compromising the body's immune system and DNA integrity. Lung cancer, in particular, is strongly linked to smoking, with nearly 9 out of 10 cases attributed to cigarette use or exposure to secondhand smoke, writes Indian Cancer Society's Jyotsna Govil.
By Jyotsna Govil May 31, 2024, 11:45:25 PM IST (Published)
In today's world, the statistics surrounding tobacco consumption are stark and sobering. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that a staggering 1.3 billion people worldwide consume tobacco products. This widespread usage comes at a heavy cost to public health, with tobacco-related illnesses claiming the lives of over 8 million individuals each year. Furthermore, secondhand smoke exposure contributes to an additional 1.2 million deaths annually, with children particularly vulnerable to its harmful effects.
Tobacco usage roots trace back to ancient America, where indigenous people admired it as a medicinal plant and incorporated it into cultural rituals as early as 6000 BCE. Eventually, tobacco led to widespread adoption for both medicinal and recreational purposes. Despite later scientific discoveries identifying nicotine as a potent poison, tobacco's addictive allure persisted.
Fast forward to the present day, tobacco still holds a persistent presence in societies around the globe, this is especially amongst the youth. Peer pressure, stress relief, and misconceptions about its benefits, such as weight control or enhanced social interactions, all play a role. However, the consequences of tobacco addiction far outweigh any perceived benefits, highlighting the urgent need for greater awareness and prevention efforts.
Understanding the harmful effects of tobacco is crucial in combating its widespread use. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and cancer deaths. Smoking — the most common form of tobacco consumption, is a leading cause of cancer, compromising the body's immune system and DNA integrity. Lung cancer, in particular, is strongly linked to smoking, with nearly 9 out of 10 cases attributed to cigarette use or exposure to secondhand smoke. However, tobacco usage can also lead to cancer of mouth and throat, voice box, oesophagus, stomach, kidney, pancreas, liver, bladder, cervix, colon and rectum, and even leukaemia.
India is expected to have 2.1 million new cancer cases by 2040, a big jump from the numbers in 2024. Out of these, the number is estimated to be highest in oral cancer and tobacco usage is one of the main causes. Around 80-90% of oral cancer patients have been found to use tobacco in some form, be it smoking or chewing. The country also faces major challenges in dealing with oral cancer from chewing tobacco.
Chewing of tobacco exposes a person to carcinogens which can lead to malignant tumours in the mouth and throat. The country is also witnessing growing consumption in electronic cigarettes/ vaping, especially amongst the youth. And studies have shown that people who quit smoking and take up vaping are more likely to develop lung cancer than those who did not vape. Chemicals like acrolein, formaldehyde, diacetyl, and ultrafine (found in vaping) can damage lungs when deeply inhaled.
The overall prevalence of tobacco use is also significantly higher in the rural compared to semi-urban and urban areas. People from the lower socio-economic background in the rural parts of the country are more inclined towards beedi, because of its cost-effectiveness. Bidis have higher levels of nicotine and cancer-causing chemicals than manufactured cigarettes and have been linked to diseases like lung and oral cancers, as well as respiratory diseases, heart attacks, and tuberculosis.
Data reveals that approximately one-third of our population aged 15 and above are either predisposed to or actively consume tobacco in various forms. Over 50% of these individuals prefer smokeless tobacco products, while 30 to 40% opt for smoking tobacco. Notably, most tobacco-related cancers are preventable. It is imperative that India becomes more aware of the harmful effects of tobacco use and its strong correlation with cancer.
Both government and private sector social service organisations should launch extensive awareness campaigns, leveraging digital channels to educate the public and instil a genuine fear of tobacco's dangers. Special emphasis should be placed on reaching youth in semi-urban and rural areas, helping them understand the severe consequences of tobacco use.
Counsellors should be available to guide and inform young people about the risks associated with cigarettes and other forms of tobacco. There is a critical need to build widespread awareness about the adverse effects of tobacco. Additionally, educating the public about the importance of early cancer screening and detection is vital, as it can increase survival rates by 30-40%.
—The author, Jyotsna Govil, is Chairperson-Delhi Branch, Indian Cancer Society, India's largest NGO working for cancer. The views expressed are personal.
