The measure is also critical to meet the sustainable development goals
World Heart Day On the occasion of World Heart Day 2015, cardiologists came together in Delhi demanding from the government immediate implementation of the 85 per cent pictorial health warnings. They said it is a critical measure to meet the goals set in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted on September 26, 2015.
“Heart attacks are the number one effect of tobacco. Unless we control tobacco consumption, we cannot expect cardio-vascular diseases to reduce,” said K Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India.
The 85 per cent pictorial health warnings were originally scheduled for implementation on April 1, 2015 but were delayed following a recommendation by the Lok Sabha Committee on Subordinate Legislation. The Committee cited lack of concrete evidence on the linkage between tobacco use and life threatening diseases.
The Cardiology Society of India has demanded that the measures of pictorial warning be implemented immediately. At present, pictorial health warnings cover 40 per cent of the principal display area of tobacco packages. India is currently ranked at the 136th position worldwide vis-à-vis warnings labels, according to an international report published by the Canadian Cancer Society in 2014.
“Ten lakh people in the world die every year due to tobacco consumption, which means nearly 2,000 every day. A person who smokes is 10 times more likely to die of a heart attack than a non-smoker. Smoking makes the arteries and veins narrow, making blood flow difficult, which becomes very dangerous in case of a stroke,” said H K Chopra, President, Cardiological Society of India. He said that this is the reason why CSI has kept the demand on World Heart Day this year.
“Goal 3 of SDGs is ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. Target 3.4 is one-third reduction in pre-mature mortality due to non-communicable diseases by 2030. Control on tobacco consumption is crucial to meet this target,” said Reddy. Reduction of 25 per cent is to be achieved by 2025 with 2010 as the base year.
Reddy said that while preventing people from starting tobacco will help, it is equally important to take the smokers off from smoking. “The current smokers will lead to many deaths in the coming 15 years when SDGs are to be achieved. Thus, they have to be put off smoking. The most effective way to deter them is pictorial warnings,” he said.
Pictorial warnings about cancer already exist. The CSI has suggested rotational pictures on different effects. “There should be pictures informing about cancers, CVDs, cataract, damage to health of children in the house etc. One particular picture becomes stale and its impact on psychology of the smoker reduces,” said Chopra.
Taking a dig at a recent statement by Yogesh Chander Deveshwar, chairperson of ITC Limited, company that produces leading brands of cigarette like Gold Flake, Reddy said that people’s lives are more important than revenues earned by the government.
“He said ‘don’t kill the goose that gives golden eggs.’ I would say let’s not kill people, and that is more important,” said Reddy.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.