Youngsters need to have strong will power to break trap of tobacco World No Tobacco Day - Hindustan Times
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Youngsters need to have strong will power to break trap of tobacco World No Tobacco Day

Hindustantimes.com | By, Ludhiana
May 31, 2015 10:40 AM IST

Despite all laws and policies framed by government to stop tobacco use and its products among masses, youngsters are still falling in its trap.

Despite all laws and policies framed by government to stop tobacco use and its products among masses, youngsters are still falling in its trap.

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HT Image

Experts find that number of smokers or tobacco users in young age have been increasing over the time, and factors like, peer pressure, wish to maintain social status and family history are contributing to it.

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On this World Tobacco Day, World health Organisation (WHO) has given a call to stop illicit tobacco trade and its use among youngsters.

Dr Tarlochan Singh, consultant psychologist at Guru Teg Bhadur Charitable Hospital, said, “At young age, children use tobacco and its products for experimenting. But, the composition of the tobacco is such that it makes neurological effect and slowly youngsters find it hard to quit smoking or chewing tobacco. Nicotine that is present in tobacco and its products increases the release of dopamine, a hormone for pleasure and stops the release of acetylcholine hormone, which regulates dopamine hormone. Thus, youngsters become addictive to it.”

Dr Tarlochan said, “Besides, peer pressure is also the main cause behind tobacco use. Due to media's effect tobacco is considered as a status symbol.”

Dr Neeru Mittal, associate professor in department of pulmonary diseases at Christian Medical College and Hospital, said, “Cases of tobacco use in youngsters as well as in females are increasing. Tobacco usage often leads to chronic bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD), lungs infection and cancer, heart diseases, allergies, chronic cough and even oral cancer etc., in a person who consumes it.”

“Many times when I treat patients for such diseases, then it is after much questioning that young patients admit that he/she smokes or uses tobacco,” Dr Mittal said.


Quit slowly and gradually

Dr Mittal said, “Quitting tobacco is not impossible, but it is a slow and gradual process. We use many alternate measures for nicotine that help the patients quit. But, still relapse cases are even more, because once the patient becomes normal, chances are there he/she starts using tobacco again.

Dr Tarlochan Singh said, “When parents bring their children to us, we try to instill will power in them so as to help them quitting smoking. We just make them aware of the side effects and after effects. If they realise it, it becomes easy for them to get rid of tobacco.”

Tobacco number 1 cause for oral cancer

Dr Pardeep Sharma, district dental officer and oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Lord Mahavira Civil Hospital, said, “In India, oral cancer is the number one killer disease among cancers, and constitutes 40% of all cancers diagnosed. He said, “Unfortunately, there is total disconnect among dentists, oral oncologists and oncologists at large, which leads to delay in detection of oral cancer. We need to evolve definitive clinical guidance outlines on this.

Dr Sharma said, “In a mega medical check-up camp held at Mansa recently, doctors' team detected 25 cases of pre-cancer and two confirmed cases of oral cancer. Due to lack of proper technological tools, patients were referred for biopsy and further observation. But if cryo surgical unit is provided to dental surgeons, it could be treated on the spot. Early detection, counselling and early intervention can save a lot of lives.”

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