World No-Tobacco Day

Jaipur, May 30 2022: According to the World Health Organization, India is the second largest consumer of tobacco in  the world. Tobacco , either consumed orally or by smoking, can lead to serious chronic diseases, including various forms of cancer, lung disease, cardiovascular disease and even stroke. It is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in India and accounts for nearly 1.35 million deaths every year.

On this World Tobacco Day, which is celebrated internationally on 31 May every year, a panel discussion was held at Fortis Escorts Hospital Jaipur, to spread  more awareness regarding the  effects smoking has on one’s health. Dr Ankit Bansal and Dr Gopal Durgershwar, specialists of Pulmonology at Fortis Escorts Hospital, and Socialist Mr. Yogendra Gupta were the panel members for the discussion.

During the panel discussion, Dr Ankit Bansal, Consultant, Pulmonology and Critical Care said, “Lung problem, such as Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third largest cause of mortality in the world, which is caused majorly by exposure to tobacco. Lung and oral cancers are other diseases that are caused by the consumption of tobacco.”

While in the rural areas, tobacco consumption is mostly done in the oral form apart from cigarette and bidi, while patients coming from urban areas, are generally affected by tobacco inhalation. Dr Bansal added further that people who consume tobacco also have an aggravated asthma in general.

Dr Bansal highlighted that 10-20 per cent of the patients appear daily who have been exposed to tobacco in either of the forms, and therefore, there is a need for better awareness. “The patients, and in fact, everyone who consumes tobacco in either of the forms, should get a counselling done – and should be able to identify, when he has the urge to smoke, how to reduce the desire, etc., but what’s equally important is the willingness to quit,” asserted Dr Bansal. There are certain alternatives to smoking such as nicotine chewing gums, nicotine patch, which are suggested to the patient whenever they feel an urge to smoke.

He further pointed out that, due to paucity of awareness and lack of screening programs, the patients generally come for diagnosis in the later stages of lung cancer, due to that they have limited treatment options for them. Some of the symptoms to identify lung cancer are – chest pain, blood in cough and difficulty in breathing. Dr Bansal further added, “Disproportionate weight loss should trigger an individual to screen for lung cancer.” Some of the common symptoms of COPD are increase in cough with expectoration along with difficulty in breathing, and prior history of exposure to tobacco. In order to protect oneself from such diseases, one should avoid use of tobacco as it has long term deleterious effects on health.

About Fortis Healthcare Limited

Fortis Healthcare Limited – an IHH Healthcare Berhad Company – is a leading integrated healthcare services provider in India. It is one of the largest healthcare organizations in the country with 27 healthcare facilities (including projects under development), 4100 operational beds and over 419 diagnostics centres (including JVs). Fortis is present in India, United Arab Emirates (UAE) & Sri Lanka. The Company is listed on the BSE Ltd and National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India. It draws strength from its partnership with global major and parent company, IHH, to build upon its culture of world-class patient care and superlative clinical excellence. Fortis employs 23,000 people (including SRL) who share its vision of becoming the world’s most trusted healthcare network. Fortis offers a full spectrum of integrated healthcare services ranging from clinics to quaternary care facilities and a wide range of ancillary services.