The misconception that smokeless tobacco products like chewing tobacco or snuff are a safer alternative to cigarettes is a dangerous public health myth. These products deliver a potent dose of nicotine, the highly addictive substance in tobacco that keeps users hooked. New Delhi: Tobacco use continues to plague millions worldwide, defying public health efforts and emerging as a multifaceted threat.
While traditional cigarettes remain a concern, new forms of consumption like vaping devices add complexity. This article delves into the far-reaching dangers of tobacco, extending beyond lung damage to a range of cancers. Tobacco uses significantly increases the risk of cancers of the oral cavity, oesophagus, larynx, bladder, pancreas, cervix, kidney, and leukemia.
Effective tobacco control requires a two-pronged approach: preventing initiation and supporting those who already use tobacco. To help them quit, readily available smoking cessation programs should be offered. These programs can be a lifeline, providing various forms of support: tailored counselling sessions for coping with cravings and triggers, nicotine replacement therapy (gum or patches) to ease withdrawal symptoms, and even prescription medications that target the brain’s addiction pathways.
The Myth of Smokeless Tobacco This ever-evolving landscape of nicotine delivery systems demands a nimble public health response. While complete abstinence is the ultimate goal, harm reduction strategies could be explored as a .
