Role of family crucial, setting good example can help keep children at bay from addiction: Dr. Sonia Tiwari

Prayagraj: World No Tobacco Day is celebrated every year on May 31st. The day aims to raise awareness about the serious health, social, and economic consequences of tobacco use and to encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Tobacco use is currently considered one of the leading causes of death and serious illness worldwide. This problem continues to be a cause of concern in India as well.

Tobacco is consumed in various forms in India, the most common being cigarettes, bidis, gutkha, khaini, zarda, pan masala, and hookah. The increasing trend of tobacco consumption, especially among youth and adolescents, is becoming a serious challenge for society. Health expert Dr. Sonia Tiwari says that tobacco addiction at an early age affects a person’s physical, mental, and social development and can lead to many fatal diseases in the future.

Tobacco use causes serious problems such as cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, lung disease, stroke, and oral cancer. Tobacco use is directly or indirectly responsible for most cases of oral cancer in India. According to Dr. Sonia Tiwari, the harmful chemicals in tobacco damage nearly every organ in the body and, over time, severely impact a person’s quality of life.

The harmful effects of tobacco are not limited to health, but also have wide-ranging economic and social impacts. In low- and middle-income families, a significant portion of their income is spent on tobacco products, adversely affecting basic needs such as education, nutrition, and health. Furthermore, other family members, especially women, children, and the elderly, face various health risks due to passive smoking.

The Indian government has taken numerous steps to control tobacco, including banning smoking in public places, displaying warning signs on tobacco products, restricting advertising, and controlling sales near educational institutions and hospitals. Despite this, the problem of tobacco use has not been completely eradicated due to lack of awareness and social influence.

To address this challenge, participation from every segment of society is essential. Regular awareness programs should be organized in schools and colleges. Youth should be encouraged to pursue sports, yoga, cultural activities, and positive life values. Dr. Sonia Tiwari believes that the role of the family is also crucial, as setting a good example can help keep children away from addiction. Counseling centers, helplines, and rehabilitation services should be made more accessible to those wishing to quit tobacco.

World No Tobacco Day is not just an awareness campaign, but a pledge to build a healthy, safe, and drug-free society. If we decide to abstain from tobacco today, we can gift a healthy and prosperous India to future generations. “Quit tobacco, save life – a healthy life is the greatest wealth.”