Ulterior motives of businessmen MPs

Recently a BJP MP's controversial remark that “what people find in Abu Dhabi does not apply to India . There is no work done in India to show that bidi and smokeless tobacco (meaning ghutka etc ) cause cancer” was shocking, to say the least.

I think that these gentlemen have no knowledge about Indian scientific research. The health risks of active and passive consumption of tobacco are well-proven by several scientific studies from India . Researchers Kalpagam polasa , B Sesikeran , P C Gupta , A Mukherjee , B J Dave and R A Bhisey have produced a volume of literature on the constant use of Paan masala , and supari ( areca nut ) and OSF ( oral submucosal fibrosis ).

It has been globally proved, including in India, that excessive smoking and use of tobacco products cause lung cancer. According to reports published by numerous agencies, over 3,000 die every day in India from tobacco-related diseases. Of the 1.2 billion smokers worldwide, 300 million, or every fourth smoker , lives in India . As per the hospital records, every second person who dies of cancer turns out to be a smoker.

The latest findings of the reputed International Tobacco Control Project claim that unless the government takes urgent preventive measures , India would be blighted by a tobacco epidemic – by 2020 , over 1.5 million would die of tobacco-related ailments. India has the highest prevalence of oral cancer on earth, with 75,000 to 80,000 new cases being reported, according to the Ministry of Health and National Institute of Health and Family Welfare .

According to health ministry report, the country spends over Rs 23 billion yearly on the treatment of tobacco-prompted ailments in the 35 - 69 years age group. India spends much less on education.

It is true that businessmen-turned MPs, gutka owners and other tobacco barons enjoy huge financial clout. But it is also true that people can transform life into a bright future if they want....

Affan Nomani