Youngsters in Kolkata are paying a heavy price for failing to kick the butt and spit out the pan masala. Despite a more high-pitched anti-tobacco campaign, pictorial warnings on cigarette packets and restrictions on the sale of tobacco products around educational institutions, GenNext, it seems, can't get rid of the cancer stick or the gutkha sachet.
Statistics reveal that 1,500 to 2,000 young adults in the city are diagnosed with oral or head and neck cancer every year and nearly half of them die within 12 months. The number has never been higher and ranks among the highest among metros in India
Even as smoking habit is on the wane around the country, Kolkata and the eastern region have been merrily puffing and chewing away. The consequences have been disastrous. Nearly 91% of the 25,000 oral cancer cases in the state are triggered by tobacco use.
"The worrying news is that an increasing number of young adults those in the 18 to 25 age group are now falling prey. Our data shows that it has been rising despite government-imposed restrictions on the sale of tobacco. Along with smoking, pan masala has been taking a big toll. Tobacco chewing raises the risk of oral cancer by 31 times. Unfortunately, urban youngsters are now hooked to pan masala chewing more than ever before," said Gautam Mukhopadhyay, senior oncologist, who led a study on cancer in Kolkata.
While smoking is known to trigger lung cancer and cancer of the voice box, stomach or oesophagus, pan masala-induced cancer is largely restricted to the mouth. Instances of oral cancer are now higher than smoke-induced cancers among Kolkata youngsters. "Head and neck cancer has always been the commonest form of the disease among males, followed closely by oral cancer. Among women, breast and cervical cancer top the list. Traditionally, lung and oral cancer patients would be middle-aged. But there has been an alarming drop in the age of patients over the last three years. It seems youngsters are getting hooked to tobacco even earlier than they previously did," said Subir Ganguly, senior oncologist. The study has also revealed that a majority of the tobacco addicts is addicted to alcohol which enhances the risk of cancer ten-fold.
"Smoke and alcohol is a dangerous combination. It exposes you to the risk of oral, lung and stomach cancer. Unfortunately, a strong drinking culture now exists in Kolkata. Youngsters love to puff away while they are downing a few pegs," said Mukhopadhyay. Nearly 50% of the 80,000 cancer cases in West Bengal annually are reported in the final stage of the disease. More than half of those who die of cancer in the state are tobacco users.
A survey done by the Cancer Foundation of India (CFI) among school children in Kolkata, confirms the early use of tobacco. "A surprisingly high percentage of high school students are now taking to smoking and chewing tobacco. By the time they are in their early twenties, many have had enough exposure to tobacco for cancer," said M Siddiqui, chairperson, CFI.
Experts blame the poor implementation of anti-tobacco laws and a weak awareness campaign for the alarming scenario. Youngsters, especially men, in this part of the country, they argue, still look at smoking and chewing as machismo. Early incidences of cancer among women, says the study, has more to do with an unregulated lifestyle than tobacco abuse. Indiscriminate use of contraceptives and sexual activity from an early age have been found responsible for cervical cancer among women in Kolkata.
Statistics reveal that 1,500 to 2,000 young adults in the city are diagnosed with oral or head and neck cancer every year and nearly half of them die within 12 months. The number has never been higher and ranks among the highest among metros in India
Even as smoking habit is on the wane around the country, Kolkata and the eastern region have been merrily puffing and chewing away. The consequences have been disastrous. Nearly 91% of the 25,000 oral cancer cases in the state are triggered by tobacco use.
"The worrying news is that an increasing number of young adults those in the 18 to 25 age group are now falling prey. Our data shows that it has been rising despite government-imposed restrictions on the sale of tobacco. Along with smoking, pan masala has been taking a big toll. Tobacco chewing raises the risk of oral cancer by 31 times. Unfortunately, urban youngsters are now hooked to pan masala chewing more than ever before," said Gautam Mukhopadhyay, senior oncologist, who led a study on cancer in Kolkata.
While smoking is known to trigger lung cancer and cancer of the voice box, stomach or oesophagus, pan masala-induced cancer is largely restricted to the mouth. Instances of oral cancer are now higher than smoke-induced cancers among Kolkata youngsters. "Head and neck cancer has always been the commonest form of the disease among males, followed closely by oral cancer. Among women, breast and cervical cancer top the list. Traditionally, lung and oral cancer patients would be middle-aged. But there has been an alarming drop in the age of patients over the last three years. It seems youngsters are getting hooked to tobacco even earlier than they previously did," said Subir Ganguly, senior oncologist. The study has also revealed that a majority of the tobacco addicts is addicted to alcohol which enhances the risk of cancer ten-fold.
"Smoke and alcohol is a dangerous combination. It exposes you to the risk of oral, lung and stomach cancer. Unfortunately, a strong drinking culture now exists in Kolkata. Youngsters love to puff away while they are downing a few pegs," said Mukhopadhyay. Nearly 50% of the 80,000 cancer cases in West Bengal annually are reported in the final stage of the disease. More than half of those who die of cancer in the state are tobacco users.
A survey done by the Cancer Foundation of India (CFI) among school children in Kolkata, confirms the early use of tobacco. "A surprisingly high percentage of high school students are now taking to smoking and chewing tobacco. By the time they are in their early twenties, many have had enough exposure to tobacco for cancer," said M Siddiqui, chairperson, CFI.
Experts blame the poor implementation of anti-tobacco laws and a weak awareness campaign for the alarming scenario. Youngsters, especially men, in this part of the country, they argue, still look at smoking and chewing as machismo. Early incidences of cancer among women, says the study, has more to do with an unregulated lifestyle than tobacco abuse. Indiscriminate use of contraceptives and sexual activity from an early age have been found responsible for cervical cancer among women in Kolkata.
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