Kupwara tops in tobacco smoking among J&K districts: Study

Srinagar, August 04: The prevalence of tobacco smoking is highest in Kupwara district at 56% and lowest in Jammu district at 26%, according to a study published in GMC Srinagar’s Journal of Integrative Medicine and Public Health covering all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The study was aimed to assess the prevalence and distribution of tobacco intake among individuals of more than 15 years of age in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
During the study, district wise data from National Health Survey-5, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India 2019–2020 was analysed and measured.
“It was found that highest number of individuals who took tobacco in any form belonged to Kupwara district (56.6%) followed by Anantnag district (49.9%) and Budgam district (48.8%) whereas least percentage of tobacco was consumed in Jammu district (26.5%) followed by Kathua district (35.4%) and Srinagar district (38.4%) respectively,” the study said.
Out of a total population, when analyzing males and their tobacco consumption district wise, it was found that highest number of the same belonged to Kupwara district (49.8%) followed by Anantnag district (47.0%) and Shopian district (47.0%) respectively.
It said prevalence of tobacco intake particularly in the district of Kupwara and Shopian where almost more than half of the adult population consumes tobacco in some form or other presents a matter of serious concern not for health professionals and government.
“Whereas least percentage of males consuming tobacco belonged to Jammu district (25.7%) followed by Kathua district (33.3%) and Baramulla district (34.7%) respectively,” it said.
Similarly, while analyzing females and their tobacco consumption district wise, it was found that the highest number of the same belonged from Bandipora district (9.1%) followed by Kupwara district (6.8%) and Baramulla district (6.5%) respectively.
Similarly, the study said the least percentage of females consuming tobacco belonged to Jammu district (0.8%) followed by Srinagar district (1.9%) and Poonch district (2.3%) respectively.
The study has suggested that people should be made more aware about the ill effects of tobacco usage. It said legislations to control tobacco use, its reduction lies in people’s hands and the same should be discussed with the general masses.
India is the second largest producer of tobacco in the world with an estimated annual production of 800 million kilograms. It is also among the top three highest burden countries in terms of the number of users.
In 2016, GATS estimated the prevalence of smokeless and smoked tobacco use in India among those aged C 15 years to be 21.4% and 10.7%, respectively. Apart from causing economic and environmental loss, use of tobacco affects health greatly.
Dr Mir Mushtaq, State Nodal Officer (Kashmir Division), National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), said J & K is one of the leading consumers of tobacco products.
“We are trying to do our best to aware people about the harmful effects of tobacco products. We are also doing regular enforcement drives, campaigns and people are challaned,” he said adding even after that there is a huge tobacco problem.
Jammu and Kashmir Health Department has also launched a mobile application Tobacco Monitor App by which people can report complaints and violations from anywhere.
Mir said that in schools and colleges they are working to implement the Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) guidelines and trying to make each school tobacco free.
“At Panchayats level we are involving village heads, religious leaders, doctors and other community members to spread the message of tobacco control,” he added.
Doctors said tobacco use is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCD) including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic lung diseases and diabetes.