Panaji: With almost 27% of all cancers reported in India are due to the use of tobacco, responsible selling of tobacco is a must for which vendors licencing is a need of the hour, National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) secretary Dr Shekhar Salkar informed.
On the occasion of the National Cancer Awareness Day the NOTE (India), Delhi based Consumer VOICE urged all stakeholders to take pledge to protect children and youth from tobacco which is leading cause of cancerous diseases and urging government to implement the rules of tobacco Vendor Licensing to protect people from tobacco products.
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan had announced in 2014 that November 7 will be observed as National Cancer Awareness Day every year to generate awareness about early detection and prevention of the cancers in the country. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-2) data shows prevalence of tobacco consumption is on increase in Goa, comparison to GATS-I. GATS-2 shows 9.7 % percent of adults in Goa consume tobacco in some form or the other.
Earlier on February 11, 2019 the Department of Urban Development of Goa issued a circular (10/56/2014-DMA/3416) directing all urban local bodies in Goa to develop mechanism to provide permission/authorization/ vendor licensing through ULBs (Urban local bodies) to retail shops selling tobacco products with restriction on sale on non-tobacco products as candies, chips, soft drinks etc.
“In 2020, tobacco related cancers are estimated to contribute 3.7 lakhs (27.1%) of the total cancer burden. It is the high time we go into combative mode against this disease. Tobacco not only causes direct cancer but also effects various other organs causing peptic ulcer, oesophagus cancer, prostrate, urinary bladder, and pancreas. Tobacco Vendor licensing needs to be implemented to keep the younger generation away from the influence of tobacco products,” Dr Salkar added.
“Smoking is one of the major contributors to the rise of lung cancer. Tobacco Vendor licensing needs to be implemented to keep away the younger generation from the influence of tobacco products as it will keep a track of tobacco retailers and help in effective enforcement of tobacco control laws,” Ashim Sanyal, Chief Operating Officer, Consumer VOICE said.
The National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020, released by The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Informatics & Research (NCDIR), Bengaluru, estimates that in 2020 cancer cases in the country will be at 13.9 lakh and likely to increase to 15.7 lakhs by 2025, based on current trends. These estimates are based on information related to cancer collected from 28 Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs). Additionally, 58 Hospital Based Cancer Registries (HBCRs) provided cancer data. Please find attached the copy of the report for your reference.
