North East States score high with Mizoram bagging top spot Nation wide
Goa lowest consumer, Manipur ranks fifth in tobacco consumption with 54 pc
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 31 2013: According to a report of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), Manipur ranks fifth among the States of India in terms of tobacco consumption.

Global Adult Tobacco Survey was conducted across the country in 2009-10 by the International Institute for Population Science under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

As per the survey report, the top five tobacco consuming States are Mizoram (67 pc), Nagaland (57 pc), Tripura (55 pc), Meghalaya (55 pc) and Manipur (54 pc) .

On the other end of the spectrum is Goa which has been listed as the lowest consumer of tobacco products.

The average rate of tobacco consumption for the whole country is 35 per cent.

Among the tobacco consumers of Manipur, males constitute 66.6 per cent and females 41.8 per cent.

The survey report pointed out that 90 per cent of mouth/oral cancer cases are caused by consumption of tobacco products.

80 per cent of lung cancer cases, 60 per cent of lung infections and 60 per cent of heart attack cases were also attributed to consumption of tobacco products.

Tobacco products which are widely in use in the State

A fact-sheet of GATS was released today at Hotel Classic under the aegis of the Directorate of Health Services and World Health Organisation where RD &PR Minister Francis Ngajokpa, MLA Brajabidhu and Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) R Muivah graced the function as chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively.

After releasing the fact-sheet, Francis Ngajokpa observed that tobacco consumption has not diminished a bit even though people known the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.

He invited the Directorate of Health Services to forward recommendations to the State Government about the possible measures which can create thorough awareness among the people on the harmful effects of tobacco on health and economy of the State, and wean them away from their habits of tobacco consumption.

State nodal officer of the National Tobacco Control Programme Dr K Komolini said that there was a legislation which was aimed at curbing tobacco consumption in the country.

Along with enactment of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act 2003, the Government of India ratified the WHO's Convention on Tobacco Control Frameworks.

The Government of India launched the National Tobacco Control Programme in 2007-08 and the same is implemented in 21 States and Union Territories.

After the State Tobacco Control Cell was set up under the National Tobacco Control Programme, the cell has been working to check tobacco consumption in Manipur, Komolini said.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare CMO Dr L Swasticharan gave a power-point presentation GATS Manipur fact-sheet.

Two cancer patients who are currently undergoing treatment narrated their own experiences during the function which was also attended by Dr Tomba, Dr Dhaballi,, Dr Mohon and others.