On this International Women’s Day, thousands of Assam women appeal to PM Modi for a tobacco-free India

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 7, 2024

Thousands of women from Assam urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a tobacco-free India on the occasion of the International Women’s Day to be celebrated worldwide on Friday.

A slogan competition along with a sensitization workshop was organized by the Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum (CLPF) in collaboration with Consumer VOICE, New Delhi in Jyotisikha Mahila Samannay Parishad Auditorium at Panjabari here on the occasion of the IWD on Friday.

Women professionals from various fields doctors, lawyers, social activists etc took part in the workshop on the theme of Strengthening Tobacco Control Law to Save Lives’ Empowering Women towards a Smoke-Free Healthy Future. 

Jyotisikha Mahila Samannay Parishad, Pratishruti Cancer & Palliative Trust and Inner Wheel Club of Guwahati East also supported the programme.

Women activists appealed to PM Modi to strengthen the tobacco control law to curb the tobacco menace. Participating in the slogan competition, the women activists also urged the Prime Minister to remove the designated smoking areas to make India 100 per cent smoke-free and ban the point of sale to save the younger children and youth from the menace of tobacco. 

After the competition, all slogans were sent to PMO India.    

Nearly 50% of all cancers in India are due to tobacco. Smoking worsens lung function and reduces immunity. All designated smoking areas in hotels restaurants and even airports should be removed to ensure a 100% smoke-free environment. 

Global Adult Tobacco Survey revealed that 33% of women and 48.2% of all adults either smoke tobacco and/ or use smokeless tobacco in Assam. 

“Apart from around 40 per cent of women exposed to second-hand smoke at home in our country according to data. To strengthen the tobacco control law there is an urgent need to initiate the amendment process of tobacco control law,” said advocate Ajoy Hazarika, secretary, CLPF, Assam.

Dr Dippy Aggarwal, senior consultant, OBS & Gynecology said: “Tobacco in any form is dangerous and deadly. It is alarming that children and teens are lured towards tobacco addiction. Tobacco use can cause cancer, cancer of the mouth, oesophagus, lung cancer etc. Women smokers have the risk of stroke, haemorrhage and other problems related to the reproductive system. Strong action must be taken to protect women from the harms of tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke.”

Eminent writer and social worker Swapnali Mahanta, who was also present in the workshop, said” “Along with men, women also consume tobacco products in our country. Even though the numbers are less the health harms are more in some cases. 

Women smokers are at a greater risk of developing cervical cancer, osteoporosis and conditions of reproductive system along with stroke. To tackle this, we need stringent policies for tobacco control and can save millions of lives.”