Data Based On The Recently Released Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS 2) Released By The Ministry Of Health And Family Welfare
Goa: The recent Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2 (GATS 2) released by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) shows 9.7 % percent of adults in Goa consume tobacco in some form or the other. The state has shown a significant rise in tobacco consumption from 8.8% in the last survey held in 2009-10 to 9.7% in the recent survey. However, an over- all reduction in tobacco consumption at national level has been noted in the survey.
New Delhi based Consumer VOICE along with Goa based National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), is working has initiated several tobacco related intervention programmes in Goa focussed primarily on youth and children, to sensitize different stakeholders and spreading awareness towards reducing the consumption of tobacco.
“The rise in number of tobacco users especially smokeless is a cause of worry because it is easily accessible to children and youth. We are working in the state through our programmes to protect the public, especially youth and children from exposure to tobacco use.”says Ashim Sanyal, Chief Operating Officer, Consumer Voice.
Tobacco use is the leading single preventable cause of deaths worldwide. Each year an estimated seven million deaths are attributed to the use of tobacco. India is the third largest tobacco producing nation and second largest consumer of tobacco world-wide. Mortality due to tobacco in India is estimated at upwards of 1.3 million.
In India every third adult in rural areas and every fifth adult in urban areas uses tobacco in some form or the other, The survey revealed that 28.6% of adults—aged 15 and above— in India currently use tobacco in some form. Among the adults 24.9% are daily tobacco users and 3.7% are occasional users.
From GATS 1 to GATS 2, the prevalence of smoking in Goa has decreased by 0.6 percentage points, however the decrease is not significant. However, it is noteworthy to mention that the prevalence of smokeless tobacco use has increased significantly by 1.9 percentage points.
“The ascent in tobacco consumption in Goa is an indicator that government needs to strengthen tobacco control efforts and people need more awareness on the health and financial burden that tobacco use brings with it.” says Dr.Shekhar Salkar President NOTE India“We will continue our efforts to protect people from the hazards of tobacco use” added Dr.Salkar.
GATS is a global standard for monitoring adult tobacco usage (smoking and smokeless ) and this GATS report indicates that creating awareness on harmful effects of consuming tobacco has helped the cause of tobacco consumption reduction .GATS enhances countries’ capacity to design, implement and evaluate tobacco control policies and programs.
Dr shekhar salkar
Secretary
National organisation for tobacco eradication
