Tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced.

All forms of tobacco are harmful and there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco. Ranging from cigarette smoking to smokeless forms ,it has been killing more than 8 million people a year ,including 1.2 million death from exposure to second hand smoke. Over 80% users worldwide live in low and middle income countries.

In India ,more than 1 million adults die each year due to dual nature of tobacco usage- smoking and smokeless - accounting for 9.5% of overall death rate .A nationally representative household survey was launched in February 2007 by WHO -Global Adult Tobacco Survey -as a new component of ongoing Global Tobacco Surveillance System .GATS  conducted in the year 2016-17 gives us the following results-

·         26.6% Adults (26.7 CRORE) ,above age 15 -use tobacco in any form

·         19.9 crore adult in rural areas and 6.8 crore adult in urban use tobacco

·         3.2 crore adults-dual usage of tobacco

·         Every fifth adult(19.9 crore)-smokeless form ,tenth adult (10 crore )-smokes tobacco

·         Overall reduction in tobacco usage by 6% points (GATS[2010-11] -GATS[2016-17)

However results from GATS 1 to GATS 2; there is a reduced tobacco use among the young population aged 15-24 from  18.4% to 12.4% from GATS 1 to GATS 2 which is about 33% reduction .Among minors about 15-17 years  ,54% reduction and 18-24 years ,28% reduction of tobacco use. An increase in mean age of initiation from 17.9 to 18.9 years .Among men  three most commonly used products are khaini(8.5 crore) and gutka(5.1 crore) was obtained .Among women betel quid with tobacco(2 crore), tobacco on oral application(2 crore) and khaini( 1.9 crore).There is reduction in second hand smoke from GATS 1 to GATS 2 in public places from 29% to 23% and at home from 52% to 39%.

Three in every ten adult working indoor are exposed to second hand smoke at their workplace – No change from GATS 1  to GATS 2.Increased awareness in adults about second hand smoking -from 83% to 92%. 55% smokers and 50% smokeless users planning or thinking of quitting the habit.

Cancer risk and Tobacco usage

India exhibits heterogeneity in cancer. According to recent research evidences ,tobacco causes a lot of cases of oral cancer and lung cancer making it a major risk factor .Oral cancer  is the most common cancer in Indian among men (11.28% of all the cancers) and fifth most common cancer among women (4.2%) . The most projected burden of cancer in people in India by the year 2020 shows number of cases of lung cancer as( 102,300),mouth (99,495) , tongue (60,669) and larynx (36,079). Cumulatively this makes mouth cancer the most common cancer among men in India. The higher proportion of cancers associated with tobacco was in North Eastern states of India followed by west and central regions .East Khasi hills of Meghalaya with 70.4%  and 46.5% for males and females respectively. over 300000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. When  diagnosed early  the five year survival rate is about 80% and about 20-30% in the advanced stages of cancer . Unfortunately many are diagnosed in the later stages .

CONCLUSION

Despite all cessation policies, people are still consuming tobacco in both forms in India. The tobacco users should be strongly encouraged to quit the habit to eliminate the long term detrimental effect of tobacco on health. The decline in the tobacco use definitely shows some positive sign for tobacco prevention and cessation programs in India but it is yet far from achieving the goal  of a tobacco free India .

"Tobacco can no longer be categorised simply as a health threat -it is a threat to human environment or human development as a whole ``.This was quoted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in their report which was prepared in 2017.The environmental impact of tobacco industry is very hazardous which is causing a significant problem to the global development as well.Tobacco in all its form are hazardous,both to our health as well as the environment.The most common use of tobacco is seen in cigarette smoking. Effect of cigarette smoking to the environment is that it releases several toxic air pollutants which causes several health issues as well.Both cigerette and e- cigerette waste can pollute soil and other water bodies.From the recent studies it also says that,cigerette and e-cigarette waste is harmful to the wildlife as well.Inspite of knowing all the risk factors the number of cigerette smoking population is shooting up.

Tobacco smoking leads directly to the emission of 2,600,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and about 5,200,000 tonnes of methane.Also some days given by about 66 low and middle income countries showed that tobacco has caused significant rise of deforestation. As we all know deforestation is considered to be the second largest anthropogenic source of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere after fossil fuel combustion. The effect of deforestation to the environment is also very hazardous which can cause several health problems and it can also cause a change in the climate.

Most commonly discarded waste globally is cigarette butts. This is the most frequently seen item which is picked up from beaches and other water sides world-wide. This cigarette butts are made up of hazardous substances like arsenic, lead, nicotine and ethyl phenol. As these cigarette butts are disposed on the grounds as such, the hazardous components present in these cigarette butts can be a threat to both aquatic environment  and soil. Also most of the cigarettes are lot using matches or gas-filled lighters. We all know that these wooden matches are made out of trees. So if one wooden match is used to light two cigarettes, about six trillion cigarettes are smoked globally, which would cause the destruction of about nine million trees. As we look upon to this surprisingly, what we can do is to stop people from using cigarette in some way, because as this keeps continuing all our lives will be in great danger. It is also reported that cigarettes also cause accidental fires which contributes a huge amount of pollution and also results in many deaths world-wide.

It is also to be noted that quitting tobacco has a good effect on our health as well as it protects our environment from all threats which is caused as a result of using cigarettes. Quitting smoking improves our health and increases our life expectancy, it lowers to about 12 types of cancer, lowers cardiovascular diseases and lot more to list out

●     24 hours after quitting smoking- Nicotine level in the blood drops to zero.

●     Several days after quitting- the carbon dioxide level in the blood drops to a level of someone who is not smoking.

Knowing all the risk factors that tobacco can cause to our lives it is high to think wisely and take appropriate actions. If we move on to take a good step today, we would be able to save millions of people who have fallen into the darkness and we will be able to create a cigarette free environment for our coming generation. We can provide campaigns or seek any professional help for people who are addicted to tobacco usage and many more programs can be put forward. So let us join our hands to protect the world from tobacco and convert it into a tobacco free world and save our environment.

                                 " നീ നശിപ്പിക്കുന്നത് നിന്നെ മാത്രമല്ല അത് വരും തലമുറയെ കൂടിയാണ് "എന്ന ആശയത്തെ തിരിച്ചറിഞ്ഞ് കൊണ്ട് അതിന് പ്രതീകമായി മാറിയിരിയ്ക്കുന്നു ഇന്ന് മനുഷ്യർ. സ്വയം നാശത്തിലേയ്ക്കും അതിലുപരി ഒരു കൂട്ടം വ്യക്തികളെ കൂടി അതിലേയ്ക്ക് വലിച്ചിഴയ്ക്കുന്നതാണ് “പുകവലി” എന്ന സത്യം എന്നത് നാം തിരിച്ചറിയണം. ആൾക്കൂട്ടത്തിൽ നിന്ന് പുകവലിയ്ക്കുമ്പോൾ അതിന്റെ ദൂഷ്യ വശങ്ങൾ കൂടുതലും അനുഭവിക്കേണ്ടി വരുന്നത് ആ കൂട്ടത്തിലുള്ള പുകവലിയ്ക്കാത്ത വ്യക്തിയ്ക്കാകാം. ആ അവബോധമാണ് ഇനി സമൂഹം ഏറ്റെടുക്കേണ്ടത്. ആ തിരിച്ചറിവിലേയ്ക്ക് വിരൽ ചൂണ്ടുന്നതാകണം പുകവലിയെ കുറിച്ചുള്ള ഓരോ ബോധവത്കരണ പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങളും .

                            സ്കൂൾ കാലഘട്ടങ്ങളിലാണ് ഇതിന്റെ ഉപയോഗം തുടങ്ങുന്നത് എന്ന കാര്യം വളരെ വ്യക്തമാണ്. അത് എങ്ങനെ അവരിലേയ്ക്ക് എത്തുന്നു , അത് എങ്ങനെ അവരെ അതിലേയ്ക്ക് ആകർഷിയ്ക്കുന്നു ആ ചിന്താധാരണകൾക്കാകണം ആദ്യം കടിഞ്ഞാൺ ഇടേണ്ടത്. പുകവലിയുടെ ദൂഷ്യ വശങ്ങളെ കുറിച്ച് അവർ അറിയുന്നുണ്ട് പക്ഷെ അവർ എന്നിട്ടും ഉപയോഗം നിർത്തുന്നില്ല. ആ ചോദ്യത്തിനാണ് സാമൂഹിക പ്രതിബദ്ധത ഉള്ള എന്നെ പോലുളളവർ ഉത്തരം തേടുന്നത്. വ്യക്തമായ രീതിയിൽ ആണോ ഇത് അവരിലേയ്ക്ക എത്തുന്നത് എന്നതിലും ആശ്ചര്യം നിലനിൽക്കുന്നു. “ചൊട്ടയിലെ ശീലം ചുടല വരെ” എന്ന പഴഞ്ചൊല്ലുപോലെ മാറി കഴിഞ്ഞിരിയ്ക്കുന്നു ഇന്ന് യുവത്വങ്ങളിൽ ഈ ദുശ്ശീലം.

                                  പുകവലിയ്ക്കുമ്പോൾ അതിലെ നിക്കോട്ടിൻ തലച്ചോറിൽ ഡോപ്പമിൻ എന്ന ഹാപ്പി ഹോർമോണിനെ ഉണർത്തുകയും താൽകാലികമായ ഉന്മേഷവും ഉണർവും , നൽകുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു എന്നതിനു മാത്രമാണ് ഇന്ന് സമൂഹത്തിൽ ഇത് ഉപയോഗിയ്ക്കുന്ന വ്യക്തികൾ പ്രാമുഖ്യം നൽകുന്നത്. എന്നാൽ അതിന്റെ മറുവശത്തിൽ കാത്ത് നിൽക്കുന്ന അപകടത്തെ കുറിച്ച് വ്യക്തമായി ഒരു ധാരണയും ഇന്ന് അവർക്കിടയിൽ ഇല്ല. ഒരുദാഹരണം പറയുമ്പോൾ , ഒരു ഗ്രഹനാഥൻ സിഗരറ്റ് എന്ന പുകയില ഉത്പന്നം ഉപയോഗിയ്ക്കുന്നു എന്നിരിയ്ക്കെ അയാളെ ആശ്രയിച്ച് നിൽക്കുന്ന വ്യക്തികൾ ആരോക്കെ ആണോ അവരെ എല്ലാം തന്നെ ഒരു പോലെ ബാധിയ്ക്കുന്നു. ആ തിരിച്ചറിവ് നാം അയാളിൽ എത്തിയ്ക്കണം അതിന് കഴിയുമ്പോഴാണ്  ഇത്തരത്തിലുള്ള പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങൾ അർത്ഥവത്താകുന്നത്.

                                 നാം ഇന്ന് കാണുന്ന ഓരോ ചലചിത്രങ്ങളിൽ പോലും പുകയില ഉത്പനങ്ങൾ ഉപയോഗിയ്ക്കുന്ന കഥാപാത്രങ്ങളെ കാണാം, ആ ദൃശ്യത്തിൽ ഒരു വശത്തിലായി മാത്രം അത് ‘ആരോഗ്യത്തിന് ഹാനികരം ’ എന്ന് എഴുതി വച്ചതിനാൽ അത് ജനങ്ങളിൽ  ഒരു സന്ദേശമായി എത്തുന്നില്ല. പകരം ആ കഥാപാത്രത്തെ അനുകരിയ്ക്കുകയാണ് ഇന്ന് പലരും ചെയ്യുന്നത്. ഇത്തരത്തിലുള്ള പ്രവണതകളാണ് മാറേണ്ടത്.

ഇനി വരും ദിവസങ്ങളിലെങ്കിലും പുകയുന്ന സമൂഹത്തെ നമുക്ക് ആ പുകയിൽ നിന്നും സംരക്ഷിക്കേണ്ടതുണ്ട്. അതിന് നാം ഇവയെ കുറിച്ചറിവുള്ള ഒരു ജനതയെ വാർത്തെടുക്കണം.  ഒരാളിൽ മാറ്റം കൊണ്ട് വരാൻ നമുക്ക് സാധിച്ചാൽ ഒരു സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ മാറ്റത്തിന് തുടക്കമായി എന്നോർക്കാം.

                                      വർഷങ്ങളായി നമുക്കിടയിൽ കണ്ട് വരുന്ന ഇത്തരം ഉത്പന്നങ്ങൾക്ക് പ്രതികൂലമായി നടക്കുന്ന ബോധവത്കരണവും പരസ്യങ്ങളും , മറ്റു പല പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങളും ജനങ്ങളിലേയ്ക്ക് എത്തിയ്ക്കുന്നതിൽ നാം പരാജയത്തോടടുത്ത നിലയിൽ എത്തിയിരിയ്ക്കുന്നു. അതിനുദാഹരണമാണ് ഇന്നും പുകവലിയുടെ കടന്നുകയറ്റം. എന്നാൽ അതിനൊരു  മാറ്റം കൊണ്ട് വരാൻ ഇനിയെങ്കിലും സാധിയ്ക്കട്ടെ ....

ആരോഗ്യമുള്ള നാളേയ്ക്കായി ദുശ്ശീലമില്ലാത്ത വ്യക്തികൾക്കായി നമുക്ക് നോക്കി കാണാം ഇനിയുള്ള ദൃശ്യങ്ങളിലൂടെ.....

It was 1964, the year when ladies after years of being treated, just as ‘a housewife’, were finally venturing out to find new lives. The Civil Rights bill had just been passed and it was the year of the World Fair.

Hoping to follow the lead of her icon, Audrey Hepburn, young Barbara O’Neil decided to move to New York and find a job. Unlike her peers, she was lucky to find one immediately. But was dismayed, to discover that her job making coffee and catering to the misogynistic needs of her boss.

She dreamed of the time, when she will be sitting in the penthouse office, puffing a cigarette and passing orders. In due time, Barbara rose from an assistant to the Chief editor of a fashion magazine for women. Along with the many things she had learnt from her boss, she had also picked up smoking.

A successful editor, who went on to become one of the board members in her later years, is now gasping for air and has lost half her jaw to cancer.

Barbara, was never smoker, coming to New York, seeing her boss and the movie stars, she associated smoking with power, fame and independence.

This is a classic example of fourth-hand smoking, where an image of a person smoking encourages the other person to take up smoking. Often young children are tempted by suave, mysterious spy in designer suits holding a light in hand or the fashion model with a cigarette to take up smoking.

A recent study conducted in Wellington, showed that high incidence of smoking in outdoor bars and cafes normalised it, and now its considered socially acceptable to smoke. Apart from people we see on screen, the image of our peers, older siblings, family members also encourage people to take up smoking.

Fourth hand smoking is as dangerous as other forms, but the advantage is with proper awareness and counselling it can be avoided. It is important we as human beings, do something to avoid this. For every SRK,who inadvertently glorifies smoking, we need a few Rahul Dravids, who condemn it.

Its our turn to give it back to the society, else we will inadvertently be sorry for not doing anything.

Social smoking isn’t safe. Every cigarette harms your health. If you smoke at all, your at higher risk of heart disease and cancer than people who don’t. Social smoking means the people you are with are exposed to second-hand smoke second hand smoke is dangerous to anyone who breathes it in.

People give different reasons for smoking. Some might say they smoke because they enjoy it, or because their friends and family smoke. Some say they feel it helps them deal with stress, or it’s just something they do to pass the time.

Social and personal impacts of smoking

• Social stigma and isolation - Some smokers feel that they are being looked down on. The social unacceptance is likely to increase as the number of smokers continues to drop.

• Lack of freedom - Having to worry about where you can go and whether you can smoke as many places have restrictions on smoking especially in public spaces.

• Feeling that you’re not in control of your life - Having to organise daily living around smoking. This might include spending more money than you can afford on cigarettes; feeling unwell and unclean; and not being fit as you would like to be.

Personal benefits of quitting:

• You will have improved fitness with greater energy levels and be less out of breath

• You will look better (smell fresher, have healthier skin and whiter teeth)

• You will feel better (have less coughs and colds and feel more in control of things)

Social benefits of quitting:

• You will feel less isolated - Quitting means you can go anywhere, not just where you can smoke

• You will be more productive - You don’t have to keep stopping what you are doing to have a smoke

• You will be able to mix with all sorts of people - You don’t have to restrict yourself to talking to other smokers and its healthier for everyone to be around you (including children)

One person quits smoking as an initiative to better personal life can improve the life of people around the person be it his/her family, friends and neighbours. As well as improving your life to a healthy one, one’s personal relationships can also be improved. Our life is in our hands, so to make the best out it we should start being healthy. While quitting can be hard, the results are more than worth it cause it’s a lifetime result.

You will still face challenges. Try to develop a tailor made plan on how you would handle being around people who are smoking or in place ls where you used to smoke. There are many better ways to socialize other than by smoking. Spending time with non smokers who share your interest or visiting places where smoking isn’t allowed can help in your path to quitting cigarettes.

“When planning a habit change, expect to face temptation, especially when your willpower is at its weakest” - Steve Scott.

College environments are important sites for health interventions. Each year, colleges enrol a large number of students with diverse backgrounds. As students transition to college, they often engage in a variety of adverse health behaviours. One of the increasing concern is the use of tobacco . Various studies have shown that the prevalence of cigarette smoking is higher among college students.  Students mainly start using tobacco to control their depression and stress. Some other factors that influence tobacco use are  the use of tobacco products by friends or family members, lack of parental support or involvement, accessibility, availability, and price of tobacco products, low levels of academic achievement, low self-esteem and exposure to tobacco advertising (including in movies, TV, or video games).

 Adolescent onset tobacco usage leads to 'accelerated dependency' within a short period from first exposure. In addition, it has been consistently linked to heart disease, cancers, and premature mortality. Tobacco use amongst youth has also been well recognized as one of the behaviours that defy social norms. Many students who get addicted to these tobacco products slowly lose interest in their studies. Researchers believe that this is due to adolescent’s higher sensitivity at low doses of nicotine, compared to adults. Adolescents appear to be particularly vulnerable to becoming nicotine-dependent, especially at low levels of cigarette consumption.

Use of tobacco products are harmful to human life. So use of such products should be prevented. One simple method that can be followed to reduce the use is by creating awareness through pamphlets, brochures and posters. Students should also be made aware about their health. Sessions by a resource person about the harmful effects of tobacco can help in creating that self-awareness.  Social media can also play an important role in preventing the use of tobacco products. Shops that sell tobacco near college premises should not be allowed. 

Let's take an oath for a better tomorrow that,

‘We will stay healthy and will demote the use of tobacco’.

Let's build a healthy nation, as we students are the future generation.

The ill effects of tobacco cannot be solely evinced in a pair of words but it's soul lies in eternal deaths that occur in different corners of the world in every passing hour. WHO estimates that Tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year world wide, of these more than 7 million deaths occur due to direct usage of tobacco while around 1.2 million deaths are the result of nonsmokers being exposed to second hand smoke.It is astonishing to know that about 15% of global deaths are attributed to smoking. Surveys and clinical studies have proved that smoking cigarettes causes various health risks in humans including cancer, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune disorder, premature deaths, lung diseases, heart attack And stroke and thus smoking can be considered as one of the leading health risks in the entire 20th century. The fact that tobacco not only degrades the life of human beings but also the environment, plants and animals around us cannot be discarded. Not only the cigarette smoke causes manifold impact on the environment, but also the cigarette butt and other waste released during the entire production process of cigarette raise a major concern. A publication has even noted that in an hour, a cigarette manufacturing unit needs about 4 miles of paper for rolling and packing, which leads to the destruction of one tree for every 300 cigarettes made, also many of the producing countries have to burn lots of wood used to create fire for drying the tobacco. One of the most commonly  used substances in the production process of tobacco is Aldicarb, it is considered to be highly toxic to humans, plants and animals and can seep into waterways and intoxicate the soil for several years.Other toxic wastes produced during cigarette production include dithane DF, imidacloprid, 1, 3 dichloropropene, chlorpyrifos and methyl bromide which are harmful to both humans as well as the environment.It was reported that nearly 2300 million kilograms of manufacturing waste are generated from the cigarette manufacturing process annually, including an additional 209 kilograms of chemical waste.Smoking globally emits nearly 2.6 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide and 5.2 billion kilograms of methane into the atmosphere each year and can cause a distinct climate change by itself. An other leading concern regarding tobacco is the increasing cigarette butts thrown away to both land and water. In 2008,the International Coastal Cleanup program managed to clear about 3.2 million cigarette butts from waterways and beaches. This was almost twice the amount of all the other trashes. These not only contaminate the water sources but also causes serious damage to aquatic plants and animals. But has the world learned from its mistakes???.It is relieving to hear that Current smoking has declined from 20.9% (nearly 21 of every 100 adults) in 2005 to 12.5% (nearly 13 of every 100 adults) in 2020.Globally, death rates from smoking have fallen from 146 per 100,000 people in 1990 to 90 per 100,000 in 2017.A Chinese proverb has written "alone I can smile, but together we can laugh, alone I can speak but together we can shout" Now its time for us to join our hands and fight this demon and abolish it permanently from our lands.

One of the largest issues today is adolescent smoking. According to a heath based website, nearly 90% of adult smokers start while they are still teens and they never intend to get hooked. They may start by bumming a cigarette or two from a friend at a party, and then go on to buying an occasional pack. Soon they realize that they can't go without that pack. These teens may think that smoking shows that they are old enough to make their own decisions. The most common cause for teen smoking is peer pressure and the want to improve their self image. Many of them think that if they smoke and fit in with that crowd that they are cool. What they need to realize is that all smoking doesn't make you look it can probably will kill you, and that it doesn't make you any cooler because you are damaging your body.

                         There are probably many ways to solve this problem, one solution that I thought of is if cigarette companies would stop advertising. If they stop advertising in magazines that most teens read they would not get the image that smoking is so cool and fun. Taking the smoking out of T.V. programs and movies might also help stop the growth in teens who smoking considerably. If famous or rich people are seen smoking in advertisements, teens are likely to think that smoking is part of that lifestyle.

                                     Because teens look up to these people, they think if they smoke they will be cool like the actors/ actresses who do. You always see the big billboards with the flashy pictures of the people with cigarettes in their hands or hanging out of their mouths. The media does not show pictures of the health issues that smoking causes. So I think getting rid of the media is the best solution to the problem. The ads that teens see all over now can possibly persuade the ones who don't smoke to start. If they didn't see all these untruthful ads about  how cool and fun smoking is it will probably greatly reduce number of teens start smoking. 

                                  Hear are some facts about smoking ,Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also increases risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis. Children who are exposed smoke are at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, more severe asthma, respiratory symptoms, and slowed lung growth. On TV when you see your favorite actor and they are smoking don't think that its cool.

                 We are the coming generation and our nations development is in our hands, if we try we can create a tobacco free generation..So let's work together to make a tobacco free generation...

Inhaling the Introduction

Bollywood, the heartbeat of the Indian film industry, stands as a global cinematic powerhouse. Producing nearly 1,000 films annually, attracting 3.1 billion cinema-goers, and grossing nearly ten billion dollars each year, its influence permeates Indian culture and daily life. One significant impact of this influence is the portrayal of tobacco use, in a country with nearly 250 million tobacco users. 

Puffing through the past

Bollywood has long depicted both heroes and villains with cigarettes or bidis. A WHO study revealed that tobacco appears in 76% of Bollywood films, with cigarettes making up 72% of these instances. Before the 1990s, smoking was mostly the vice of villains. Heroes embodied noble ideals, avoiding tobacco, while villains often smoked cigars, exuding a sinister charm. However, the 1990s saw a shift influenced by Western cinema, with modern heroes lighting up cigarettes during action-packed scenes. The portrayal of “good guys” smoking increased from 27% in 1991 to 53% in 2002, according to the WHO. 

Cracking down on cigarettes 

In May 2005, the Indian government implemented a smoking ban in films and television shows. Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss argued that the ban would "protect the lives of millions of people who could become addicted to smoking under the influence of movies." The ban required health warnings and disclaimers at the beginning and end of films depicting smoking. Despite the ban, tobacco use was still implied in movies through suggestive themes and actions. Bollywood and tobacco companies found ways to circumvent the ban due to lax enforcement and corruption. As one critic noted, "The authorities aren't organized enough...I'll just pay a bribe."

In 2012, India introduced the Film Rules, a set of regulations that restricted tobacco content in movie theaters and on television. Recently, these rules were expanded to include streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ Hotstar, mandating health warnings whenever tobacco is depicted. As digital media has grown, so has tobacco marketing, necessitating public health responses. India’s update is commendable, especially with streaming services projected to reach 4.2 billion people globally by 2027, emphasizing the need to protect consumers from tobacco marketing in the digital age.

Sixty-six countries globally ban tobacco advertising in print, on billboards, and via television and radio. India, however, is the first to regulate tobacco on streaming platforms, setting a precedent for others. Research consistently shows that tobacco marketing increases usage, and national limits on advertising reduce tobacco use, preventing disease and death. In today's digital world, youth are increasingly exposed to harmful products through aggressive marketing. A report by STOP, a tobacco industry watchdog, highlighted that a single Netflix documentary, Drive to Survive, embedded tobacco ads for over a billion minutes of streaming.

Actor perspectives

The smoking ban drew mixed reactions. Some Bollywood actors, like Vivek Oberoi and Urmila Matondkar, supported the ban and participated in public service announcements. Urmila's famous ad declared, "Every cigarette reduces life by three minutes. Isn't that scary? If you're not scared, then you are not brave, you are foolish."

However, many in the film industry opposed the ban. Shabana Azmi questioned, "How can a character not be shown as smoking a cigarette if the script so demands?" Many argued that the ban infringed on artistic freedom and democratic rights. Mahesh Bhatt remarked, "One would understand a ban on surrogate advertising, but to completely ban [smoking] is ridiculous, a joke taken too far." The Delhi High Court overturned the ban in January 2009, citing it as censorship restricting freedom of speech.

The cinematic reverberations 

In India, films are a "national obsession," with Bollywood leading the charge. This obsession means Bollywood's portrayal of smoking significantly influences public behavior. The trend of tobacco usage in Bollywood began in the 1970s, with films glamorizing tobacco through cultural associations. Over time, the portrayal of smoking in Bollywood has evolved, reflecting changing societal norms. In the 1970s and 1980s, smoking was associated with villains and the working class. By the 1990s and 2000s, smoking became linked to healthiness and fashion, with buff, handsome heroes smoking on screen. To name a few, movies like Kabir Singh(2019), Gully boy (2019), and Animal (2023) have prominently featured their protagonists smoking. In Kabir Singh, Shahid Kapoor’s character, a flawed intense medical student is often seen smoking which adds to his rebellious persona. In Gully Boy, Ranveer Singh’s character is depicted smoking subtly linking his rise in the rap scene with a carefree edgy lifestyle. In Animal, Ranbir Kapoor’s character also indulges in smoking adding to his rugged and intense image. Films like Sanju(2018), a biopic on actor Sanjay Dutt depicted heavy smoking scenes, reflecting Dutt’s real life struggles with addiction.

Web series have also contributed to this trend. Sacred Games (2018) and Mirzapur (2018), are notable examples where characters are seen intensely smoking. These series, popular among the youth audiences, often use smoking as a tool to enhance the character’s toughness or moral ambiguity.

Tobacco beyond the camera...

Off-screen behavior of actors reinforces smoking habits among the youth. Actresses like Priyanka Chopra have been photographed smoking cigars during vacations while Sumona Chakravarti shared her journey of quitting smoking cold turkey on social media highlighting the challenges and her success. Dimple Kapadia has been seen smoking publicly, as has Kangana Ranaut who openly defends smoking as a personal choice. Mahira Khan faced  controversy when she was photographed smoking with Ranbir Kapoor in the New York City. Rani Mukerji known for her smoking habit admitted to family disputes over it. Susmita Sen despite often been seen smoking in public claims she would quit if she felt the need. Manisha Koirala a former chain smoker decided to quit after battling cancer. Similarly Konkona Sen once a chain smoker has also quit. These instances underscore the complex relationship between celebrity culture and smoking behaviour, influencing millions of fans who look upto them. Stars like Shahrukh Khan, a chain smoker, have been emulated by fans for decades. A study found that Shahrukh Khan had the highest number of smoking incidents from 1991 to 2002. All these end up with fans imitating their smoking habits. For instance, fans have said, "It does impress people ... I am smoking SRK’s (Shahrukh Khan’s) cigarette brand."

Societal views and knowledge

 Changing public perception of smoking is challenging. Many see tobacco use as normal behavior, and health warnings have not permeated the majority of the Indian public. Critics argue that the government should focus on raising awareness about the dangers of smoking and enforcing public smoking bans more effectively. Shekhar Kapur commented, "The Indian government has always thought themselves able to do whatever they feel is necessary to curtail artistic freedoms."

Rather than restricting artistic freedom, critics believe the government should take a more active role in educating the public about the health risks of smoking. Mahesh Bhatt suggested, "If the government has the courage it should ban smoking in real life."

Exhaling the Conclusion

Bollywood's relationship with smoking is complex and deeply rooted in Indian culture. While regulatory measures and public health campaigns have made strides, the portrayal of smoking in Bollywood films continues to impact public behavior. A concerted effort from both the film industry and the government is needed to educate the public about the health risks of smoking and promote healthier lifestyles. Bollywood's immense influence offers both a challenge and an opportunity. By responsibly depicting smoking and promoting anti-smoking messages, the industry can play a pivotal role in reducing tobacco use and improving public health. Balancing artistic freedom with social responsibility is crucial to ensure that Bollywood's glamor does not come at the cost of public health.

Tobacco industries continue to thrive, poisoning young minds with nicotine. This lethal habit exacts a toll of over 8 million lives each year globally. Beyond the loss of life, tobacco use imposes substantial social and economic costs. Among the various forms of tobacco, e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have surged in popularity, especially among younger generations.

TOBACCO FREEDOM : DISCOVERING A HEALTHEIR YOU 

“Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because have done it thousands of times.” Mark Twain’s witty remark captures the struggle many face when attempting to kick the habit. However, taking that step to quit smoking is both challenging and crucial for one’s health.

Let’s explore practical steps to help you on this journey

1. Seek Professional Guidance:

Schedule a counselling session with a healthcare professional. They can provide a tailored strategy based on your individual need

2. Reward Yourself:

Celebrate small victories along the way. Whether it’s a week without smoking or hitting a milestone, acknowledge your progress.

3. Identify Your Triggers:

Understand what prompts you to smoke. Is it stress, boredom, or specific situations? Once you recognize your triggers, you can work on avoiding or managing them effectively.

4. Leverage Smoke-Free Apps:

There are several mobile apps designed to motivate and support individuals in their quitting journey. These apps offer features like tracking progress, providing tips, and connecting with a community of others striving to quit.

5. Consider Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT):

NRT options include patches, gum, lozenges, nasal spray, and inhalers. Consult your healthcare provider to determine which method suits you best.

6. Find Healthy Replacements:

Engage in alternative activities to distract yourself from cravings. Exercise, read, or pursue hobbies. Replace the smoking habit with positive actions that contribute to your overall well-being. Remember, quitting smoking is a process, and setbacks may occur. Stay committed, seek support, and celebrate every step toward a smoke-free life.

SMOKE- FREE CHAMPIONS : INSPIRING SUCCESS STORIES

Among the notable personalities who successfully embraced a smoke-free lifestyle, former United States President Barack Obama stands out. Despite struggling with a smoking habit throughout his life, he quit smoking to set a positive example for his daughters. His public campaigns have inspired countless individuals to kick the habit. Another remarkable figure is talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. After 20 years of smoking, she made the courageous decision to quit and has since motivated numerous fans to seek smoking cessation assistance

Beyond the spotlight, countless individuals have successfully battled addiction. Ashwin , a close friend of mine, grappled with a smoking habit for over 8 years. When the pandemic struck, he moved in with his parents and struggled to maintain sanity without reaching for a smoke. Despite previous failed attempts to quit, he always succumbed to temptation. However, this time, he shifted his focus to building a healthy lifestyle and prioritized body fitness. His determination paid off — he eventually clinched the first prize in Men's Physique district level . As he reflects on his anti tobacco journey, he emphasizes that it's never too late to quit, especially when witnessing the happiness of loved ones around you.

 In the face of graphic warnings and financial deterrents, the allure of smoking persists .The genuine smoke-free journey only commences when individuals truly grasp its significance at their core. If you or someone you know smokes, consider seeking support, exploring cessation programs, and taking that crucial step toward a healthier future.