Anti Tobacco Programme for School Children and Residential/Slum Clusters in Delhi

In India, 200 million active tobacco users and 2,200 persons die every day from tobacco-related diseases. As per the World Health Organisation projections, India will have the highest rate of rise in tobacco-related deaths by the year 2020. The report further states that out of 100 teenagers smoking in India today, 50 will eventually die of tobacco-related disease. WHO data indicate that by 2020, tobacco will be solely responsible for 1.5 million deaths in India, or 13.3% of all deaths in the country.

The patterns of tobacco consumption in India are totally different from other parts of the world. Here just about 20 per cent tobacco-users consume cigarettes, while nearly 40 per cent smoke bidis, which deliver more nicotine than cigarettes. The remaining 40 per cent chew tobacco and tobacco-containing products such as Paan Masala and Gutkha. The Tobacco Board also estimates that the percentage of smokers is likely to rise to 33 per cent by the year 2020. Statistics also show that two-thirds of the smokers in the country begin the habit young. By the time they realize the health risks, they are already addicted to smoking. Doctors contend that addiction to nicotine is stronger than addiction to other drugs popular with addicts like heroin, marijuana and cocaine.

Programme Message

"Tobacco consumption is injurious to health - Say NO to TOBACCO"

Beneficiaries

• School Children
• Residential Communities
• Slum Clusters in Delhi

Objective

• Create awareness of health hazards and vulnerability of certain diseases like cancers, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive lung disease of tobacco use
• Educate school children, Residential communities as to what constitutes healthy living and the health effects of tobacco consumption
• Change attitudes and beliefs to more positive tobacco free living approach
• Inform tobacco consumers on the effects of tobacco consumption on personal, family and public health and living

Project Summary