Mumbai, 31st May 2024: The detrimental effects of tobacco consumption extend beyond individual health, impacting the environment and society at large. In a poignant initiative to mark World No Tobacco Day 2024, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre created a striking installation featuring several four-foot-tall cigarettes hanging from trees by nooses. This symbolizes the pervasive impact of tobacco use on people and the environment. P.D. Hinduja Hospital seeks to create awareness and educate the public about the urgent need to quit tobacco and advocate for a healthier life and safe environment.
According to the WHO, India is the second-largest consumer and producer of tobacco with over 270 million active users and faces significant repercussions from tobacco consumption. Annually, 1.35 million Indian lives are lost due to this habit. [1]Moreover, the tobacco industry’s global footprint includes generating over 170,000 tons of waste and deforesting 600 million trees[2]. Each tree felled produces merely enough paper for 15 packs of cigarettes. This stark reality underscores how tobacco consumption not only impacts human lives but also contributes to deforestation, soil degradation, and environmental pollution.
Mr. Gautam Khanna, CEO, of P. D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, expressed his support for the initiative, stating, “On this World No Tobacco Day, let us remind ourselves of the far-reaching consequences of consuming tobacco. By highlighting the impact on both human health and the environment, we hope to inspire individuals and communities to take decisive action against tobacco use. We are committed to fostering a healthier society and a cleaner environment.”
In India, the prevalence of tobacco use remains a significant public health challenge. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) indicates that in India, of all adults, 28.6% currently consume tobacco either in smoked or smokeless form, including 42.4% of men and 14.2% of women. Smoking is a major contributor to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer in India[3].
Dr. Lancelot Mark Pinto, Consultant Pulmonologist and Epidemiologist, P. D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, shared, “Our daily interactions with patients underscore the devastating impact of tobacco consumption on health, causing respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and even cancer. This installation highlights the need for comprehensive tobacco control, addressing health and environmental concerns, to mobilise collective efforts to reduce tobacco use and promote sustainability.”
The World No Tobacco Day Installation event not only underscores the critical need for tobacco cessation but also emphasizes the importance of environmental stewardship. Through this unique and visually impactful initiative, P.D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre hopes to galvanize the community towards a future free from the detrimental effects of tobacco.