Tobacco is a constituent of the dry leaves of the commercial crop N.tobacum which is used as a highly addictive recreational stimulant. It can be chewed or smoked. Annually, an estimated 230,000 deaths are attributed to tobacco in India. The net economic burden of tobacco-related health conditions between 2017 to 2018 for all persons aged 35 years is Rs 177 crores. Consumption of tobacco in the smokeless form is more common in India and 29 % of India’s adults ( about 270 million people ) consume tobacco.
It has a devastating on human health in the country leading to over 1.35 million fatalities every year. Tobacco has 250 harmful constituents in it including hydrogen cyanide. Its consumption increases the likelihood of heart disease and cancer. Smoking causes the following cancers: lung, oesophageal, colorectal, buccal, and larynx among others. The mortality rate of smokers from related conditions is significantly higher than non-smokers. Infections are often more common and severe in smokers due to the weakening of the immune system. It is considerably harder for female smokers to achieve pregnancy and smoking during or after giving birth increases the chances of infant mortality.
Keeping these detrimental effects of tobacco in mind, the WHO, in 1988 declared 31 May every year forward to be the World No Tobacco Day. The objective is to spread awareness among all consumers and non-consumers of tobacco of the ill effects of its usage. Kerala Academy of Pharmacy cultivates young minds in a healthy academic environment. The need to protect youngsters from habits detrimental to their health is paramount. Undergraduate education takes place during important years of brain development. The brain requires oxygen and glucose essential for proper functioning. Poor cardiac health as a result of tobacco consumption deleteriously affects brain health. Thus, KAP is incredibly steadfast in its campaign of awareness against tobacco.
