TOBACCO AWARENESS PROGRAMME

Tobacco is responsible for cancer of various parts of body like mouth, throat, lungs, stomach, kidney, bladder etc.

·      Rajasthan has the largest number of oral cancer cases in the Dantaramgarh which is due to tobacco .

·      In Tehsil Dantarmagrah District Sikar ( Raj). Tobacco contributes to 62.4%and 46.9% of cancers in men and women respectively .

·       Smoking causes more than 90% of lung cancers and other lung diseases.

·      Tobacco leads to Heart and blood vessel disease, Heart

Attack, chest Pain, sudden Cardiac Death, stroke ( Brain attack) peripheral vascular disease ( Gangrene of legs. )

Supporting facts.

·      Tobacco smoking accounts for 82% of chronic obstructive lung disease in Rajasthan Tobacco indirectly causes lung tuberculosis. Prevalence of TB is about 3 times as great among the ever –smokers. The heavier the smoking, either cigarettes or bides, the greater the prevalence of TB among smokers.

·      Smoking \tobacco suddenly raises the blood pressure and reduces the blood flow to the heart.

·      It also decreases the flow of blood to the feet and can cause gangrene of the legs.

·      Tobacco damages the lining of the arteries all over the body.

·      Smoking causes health problems for children and other family members ( due to second-hand smoke). A non smoker living with ( two packs per day ) smoker smokes passively equivalent of three cigarettes per day according to urine nicotine levels. 

·      It has also been found that smoking/tobacco consumption increases the risk of diabetes.

·      Tobacco lowers the good cholesterol in the blood.

·      Smokers/tobacco consumers are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop heart disease and paralysis than non-smokers.

·      There is One tobacco related death every 8 seconds.

Supporting Facts

·      In Rajasthan total numbers of tobacco related deaths are likely to be between 80000 to 90000 per year.

·      Avoiding tobacco adds 20 years to the life of a teenager.

·      About half of the teenagers who use tobacco will eventually be killed by it ( about a quarter in middle age and a quarter in old age )

·      It is estimated that India as compared to any other country will have the fastest rise in tobacco related deaths each year.

·      Smoking / Tobacco causes adverse effects in men and women.

Supporting Facts.

·      Consumption is a cause of impotence in men

·      Smoking/tobacco consumption decreases estrogen levels in women. Menopause occurs earlier.

·      Smoking/tobacco consumption decreases ability of physical activity and decreases physical endurance.

·      Women who smoke and take birth control pills are at a greatly increased risk of a stroke.

·      Pregnant women, who having a baby with a low birth weight or babies with developmental problems, or sudden infant deaths(sudden unexplained cot deaths.)

Objectives:

        Short- term objectives:  

·      Assess knowledge, procedures and safety actions to be taken to ban smoking in all its kinds.

·      Increase the awareness of students and new generation especially in Underprivileged Areas about the smoking & Oral Use bad effects.

·      Raise awareness of the health risks associated with active and passive smoking.

·      Promote a positive against smoking & Oral Use attitudes, behaviors and habits.

Long-term objectives:

·      Implementation of laws concerning the inspection and controlling of any smoking  type entering or manufactured in Indian & Rajasthan. State, in addition to ban smoking in public areas laws.

·      Enforcement for implementing and inducing Indian & Rajasthan.

Tobacco Control Programme In School Level :

Tobacco use continues to be the single leading preventable cause of death and disease in Tehsil- Dantaramgarh District Sikar (Raj.)(1).More than 80% of established adult smokers begin before age 18 years (2). To monitor middle and high school students, Shri Kalyan Women Welfare Society analyzed data from the Youth Tobacco Survey a school – based survey that collects information on tobacco use and related behaviors and attitudes from middle school students (grades 6-8) & teacher also and high school (grades 9—12) students. This analysis indicated that in 8.2% of middle school students and 23.9% of high school student reported current use of any .

These  guidelines are based on an in depth review of research, theory and current practice in the area of school based tobacco – use prevention. The guidelines recommend that all school a) develop and enforce school policy on tobacco use , b) provide instruction about the short –and long –term negative physiologic and social consequences of tobacco use ,social influences on tobacco use , peer norms regarding tobacco use , and refusal skills, c) provide tobacco –use prevention education in kindergarten through 12th grade ,d) provide programme specific training for teachers, ,e) involve parents or families in support of school – based programs to prevent tobacco

Use, f) support cessation efforts among students and all school staff who use tobacco , and g) assess the tobacco –use prevention program at regular intervals h) To prevent by Involvement of the NSS cadre, NCC cadre and Red Ribbon and Eco Clubs in the school programme.

ü Voice your support for tobacco –free school and effective tobacco –use prevention education to school administrators and board members.

ü Encourage merchants to limit the number of tobacco ads in their stores, remove self –service displays, and comply with the law by checking IDs and refusing to sell tobacco products to minors .

ü Ask merchants and managers of hotels and restaurants to locate vending machines where they will not be accessible to young people .

ü Speak at a meeting or submit a letter to a local newspaper to discuss the importance of clean indoor air restrictions and policies that limit young people ‘s access to tobacco products.

ü Encourage coordination between school and community programs to prevent tobacco use and addiction.

ü Ask for and support tobacco –free schools and communities.

ü Encourage the school to ban ads for tobacco products from student publications and events.

ü Take elective courses in health.

ü Volunteer to help in community efforts to tobacco use.

ü Suggest that the school paper print a story about tobacco advertising and promotion campaigns aimed at young people.

Activities ( Methodology )

Suggested Activities under school/college Program 

1 The target groups should include both students and teachers. It is important to start with young children especially from the primary school level. The messages for tobacco control would vary according to the target group (e.i. level of understanding /intelligence according to the target age group and will be separate for primary, middle, and second level).

2. Involvement of the NSS cadre, NCC cadre a Clubs in the school program- these groups are already established in schools and their assistance could be taken in school program.

3. Following are the areas in which training can be imparted to

Teachers and students:

!!! effects of tobacco use.

·      Provisions of various statutes.

·      Their role &responsibilities.

·      Methodology to train students.

·      Identification of the peer leaders/students.

·      Various activities to be done by them at them at classroom level

·      Counseling of the students against usage of tobacco in collaboration with District Tobacco Cessation Centers.

 4School  level policy initiatives-

a)   The teachers and students should take initiatives to make their school campus smoke and tobacco free by not allowing any school staff, students,

parents and visitors smoke or consume any tobacco product in the school/ college premises.

b) They will also make sure that there are no vendors, kiosk owners and shopkeepers selling any tobacco products within a radius of one hundred yards of the school.

C)Boards should be displayed outside the school and within prominent places inside the schools with the message that smoking is prohibited and is an offence.

d) Schools should also undertake number of activities like drawing competition and award students with suitable incentives, if need be.

5. Health corner in the school-there could be a health corner in every school where tobacco and health related material could be displayed for the information of the students.

6. Tobacco Focal Point for the school – A trained teacher may be identified as focal point for guidance and supervision of tobacco control related activities.  

Benefits of Quitting Tobacco

The Physical benefits of quitting tobacco:

1.   Your risk of cancer and heart disease will go down.

2.   Stress on your heart will be reduced.

3.   Your loved ones will not be harmed by your smoke.

4.   Your smoker’s cough ( persistent cough and phlegm) will most probably disappear.

5.   Your teeth will become whiter and cleaner.

The Social benefits of quitting tobacco :

1.   You will be the one in control –cigarettes will no longer control you.

2.   Your self –image and self –confidence will improve.

3.   You will be a healthier parent for your children, now and in the future.

4.   You’ll have more money to spend on other things.

It’s never too late to give it up!

·      Stopping smoking/tobacco even in middle age before having cancer or some other serious diseases avoids most of the later excess risk of death from tobacco. 

·      The benefits of stopping at earlier ages are even greater.

·      Once you give up tobacco the risk of heart attacks normalized to that of a non-smokers in 3 years.  

Tips to Quit Smoking / Tobacco

1.   Hide ashtrays, cigarettes, paan, jarda, out of sight, out of mind. A simple , yet helpful step. 

2.  Don’t Let Cigarettes. Paan and Jarda be easily available.

3.   Figure out your “triggers” to smoke, or consume paan/jarda and ways to cope with them, Is it the company of people who smoke/eat parda/paan ? Try in the initial period to be away from smokers/paan eaters/jarda eaters or rather when they smoke or eat pan/jarda.

4.   Try to put something in the mouth, like chewing gums. Sweets, peppermints, lozenges etc. and practice deep breathing.

5.   Whenever you have that craving, try deep breathing when either standing or sitting. Having a glass of water and exercising also helps to decrease the craving.

6.   When you feel like taking tobacco, think of your children and the effect on their future if you develop any of the dangerous diseases cause by tobacco.  

7.   Set a stop date.

8.   Find a support person.

9.   Make plans for your first day without cigarettes/paan/jarda.

10.          Use the 4Ds when the craving for smoking/tobacco hits you.

11.           

·      Do something else

·      Delay smoking/tobacco consumption the next cigarette

·      Deep breathing

·      Drink water

12.          Use positive self-talk.

13.          Reward yourself.

14.          Practice relaxation techniques (yoga, walking, meditation, dancing, music etc) everyday.

15.          Limit the intake of caffeine and alcohol. 

Further be active, and eat a healthy diet