Smoking and Chewing Tobacco: Obstacle towards Sustainable Development

 

Abdul Motin Khandakar

 

ABSTRACT:

Smoking and chewing tobacco has become very common, fevourite and fashionable custom, especially among young boys. Its consumption is highest in number among the least educated, poorest, and scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. The prevalence of use of tobacco may be underestimated by almost 11% and 1.5% for chewing tobacco among men and women, respectively, and by 5% and 0.5% for smoking among men and women, respectively, because of use of household informants. Tobacco consumption is significantly higher in poor, illiterate, less educated, scheduled castes and scheduled tribe populations. The prevalence of tobacco consumption increased up to the age of 50 years and then leveled or declined. The prevalence of smoking and chewing also varied widely between different states and had a strong association with individual’s socio-cultural characteristics. The present paper attempts to highlight the impact of smoking and use of tobacco in socio-economic life of people.  

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Smoking was introduced to the Muslim countries by the Europeans around 1000 AH. Its spread among the Muslims was similar to that in the West. The unfortunate fact, however, is that in the Muslim countries, no similar measures were exerted to protect the people from it. To the contrary, the media continues to ado smoking and encourage people to do it. This caused the epidemic of smoking to continue to spread in those countries to such an extent that it has become hard to control. And Tobacco was discovered by the Spanish sailors on the American shores at about 1500 CE (900 AH). Since its discovery, the epidemic of smoking has continued to spread all over the world. In our times, one seldom finds a house not afflicted by it.

 

Smoking and chewing tobacco has become very common, fevourite and fashionable custom, especially among young boys. This habit usually begins at school when boys try to experiment with every new thing that they can lay their hands on. Despite the warnings given by doctors about the ill-effects of smoking, people continue to smoke. Smokers are addicted to it, and even if they want to, they cannot refrain from picking up a cigar or cigarette and puffing away. Some youngsters smoke for the sake of society and some feel that would make them appear liberated and broadminded.

 

Smoking is the second major cause of death in the world today. According to report released by Indian Express there are 4% i.e. about 2500000 people die every year due to smoking. Nearly 5 million people die due to smoking and tobacco use in every year and this figure will increase to 10 million tobacco ascribable deaths per year by 2020. Of these, 7 million deaths will occur in the developing countries, mainly China and India.

 

 

 

The number of people in the age group of 18 years and younger in the world today is 2.4 billion, which is the largest generation in history. Since most of young people in developing countries are currently non smoker, non-tobacco users, tobacco industry especially targets them. Everyday about 80,000 to 100,000 young people initiate smoking, most of them in the developing countries. From among 1000 teenagers who smoke today, 500 will eventually die of smoking and tobacco related diseases-250 in their middle age and 250 in their old age. Smoking and use of tobacco is the single largest preventable cause of death and disability worldwide.

 

India is the world’s second largest country in respect of producer of tobacco. Every year about 800,000- 900,000 Indians die due to tobacco use. It was estimated in 1999-2001 that 5,500 adolescents start using tobacco every day in India, joining the 4 million young people, under the age of 15, who already use tobacco regularly. Like other developing countries, the most susceptible time for initiating tobacco use and smoking in India is during adolescence and early adulthood, ages 15-24 years. Most of the smokers and tobacco users start using tobacco before the age of 18 years, while some start as young as 10 years. These happenings stand as barrier for sustainable development.

 

It is observed that Sustainable Development means achieving economic growth that is widely shared and that protects the earth's vital resources. Our current global economy, however, is not sustainable, with more than one billion people left behind by economic progress and the earth's environment suffering terrible damage from human activity. Sustainable development requires mobilising new technologies that are guided by shared social values. The Global Sustainability Panel rightly notes that sustainable development has three pillars: ending extreme poverty; ensuring that prosperity is shared by all, including women, youth and minorities; and protecting the natural environment. These can be termed the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainable development, or, more simply, the "triple bottom line" of sustainable development.

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS:

Smoking has become very common, fevourite and fashionable custom, especially among young boys. This habit usually begins at school when boys try to experiment with every new thing that they can lay their hands on. In the beginning, a teenager may take a few puffs from his friend's cigarette; then comes a time when it becomes an indispensable part of his life. Several puffs lead to the formation of a habit. Soon smoking begins to affect the health of the smoker. He becomes a chain-smoker. This smoke is toxic and the nicotine in the cigarette is known to cause cancer. It is ironic that despite the fact that every smoker is aware of the ill effects of smoking, he does not give it up. As per the report of World Health Organization tobacco caused 5.4 million deaths in the year 2004 and about 100 million deaths over the course of the 20^th century. Passive smoking or second hand smoking is equally harmful and about six hundred thousand deaths were caused by passive smoking.

 

The challenges of the tobacco epidemic in India are complex; due to great diversity in forms of tobacco used and marked variations in prevalence and patterns of tobacco use. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), conducted during the years 2000-2004 in India, is the first survey that provides state-wise data on youth (13-15 years), using a standardized methodology. The prevalence figures of ever and current tobacco use varied across states, as per GYTS results. Current prevalence of tobacco use, in any form, among school going youth (age 13-15 years) in India is 17.5% (range: 2.7% -63%). Current smokeless tobacco use was reported by 14.6% (range: 2.0% - 55.6%) and current smokers were 8.3%.

 

The determinants of tobacco use among youth can be classified into four broad categories. The first major predictive cluster comprises of socio-demographic factors, i.e., tobacco use patterns differ according to age, gender, state and region, socio-economic status, urban city (rural versus urban residence) and family composition. The second predictive cluster is of social-environmental factors that include: normative expectation (perceptions and attitudes), role models, media and advertising, social norms, opportunities vs. barriers (accessibility and policy issues) and social support (tobacco use by friends). The third cluster of predictive factors encompasses personal factors that include: knowledge about tobacco and tobacco use, values and functional meanings about tobacco use, self-image and self-efficacy. The 4^th and last predictive cluster is of behavioural factors that include: behavioral intentions to use tobacco in future, repertoire behavior (concurrent alcohol and tobacco use), skills (to resist influences) and related incentives to begin and continue tobacco use.

 

Second hand smoking, also known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). There are two types of secondhand smoking. First is side stream smoke it is the smoke which comes from the end of a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe. Second is mainstream smoke, which is the smoke that is exhaled smokers. Research shows that people who do not smoke at all can suffer serious and life-threatening health problems, if they stay with smokers for long period of time. Scientists have proved that breathing passive smoke can be more dangerous than actually smoking a cigarette. It can be dangerous because the smoke that is blown by the smoker in the air can affect the person standing or walking by the smoker. The non-smoker inhales smoke too without using a cigarette. Passive smoking is very poisonous, it has over four hundred chemicals and fifty of them are cancer causing chemicals.

 

According to the report, released by Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, tobacco use has been found to be inversely related to the literacy levels. Among adults, tobacco use decreases sharply with education. Prevalence of tobacco use decreases from 68% among males and 33% among females with no formal education to 31% among males and only 4% among females with secondary or higher education. Females with no formal education are more likely to smoke.

 

Besides these in Islamic philosophy, Smoking is a killer: causes lung-cancer, lung-tuberculosis and heart diseases. Allah, the almighty says: And do not kill yourselves. (Quran 4: 29) He also says: And do not throw yourselves into destruction. (Quran 2:195)

 

These verses are sufficient to make smoking Haram or unlawful. Smoking is a wasting of wealth. Allah says: ...But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift, Verily, spendthrifts are brothers of the devils, and the Devil (Satan) is ever ungrateful to his Lord. (Quran 17: 26-27)

 

The smoker is unjust to himself as well as his family by burning away his money kept in his chest. The smoker not only causes harm to himself, he/she also inflicts harms upon others around him/her. The Prophet (pbuh) said: "There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm." (Saheeh Al-Jami 7517).

 

The smokers cause the spread of evil; they smoke openly and thus encourage others to do the same. The smokers dislike fasting and praying because they become impatient. They want to go for the next "round". The smoker becomes like an edict. The smoker smells bad, his car, home, clothes etc. carry the bad smell too. From the above observation, it is clear that smoking is evil and thus it is Haram or unlawful.

 

Claimed Advantages:

It is difficult to make a case for the advantages of smoking. Some of the purported advantages include a sense of calm and relaxation during and immediately after smoking a cigarette. Smokers also frequently receive a number of short breaks throughout the work day to indulge their habit. Some argue that smoking cigarettes makes one look cool, sexy and mature. Finally, many smokers find that smoking cigarettes gives them something to do with their hands.

 

Economic Disadvantage:

Smoking and chewing tobacco is an expensive habit. During the investigation it is observed that a man who used to smoke cigarette expend daily 100 rupees for puffing and monthly he expend 100 x 30 (days) = 3000/- and yearly 3000x12 (months) = 36000 rupees. If the person used to puff in such way for a period of 30 years in his life, then the amount will 36000x30 (years) = 10,80000/- Besides this, the poor section of the society who smoke Bidis, generally used to puff one bundle of the same and a box of matches expending Rs. 10/- per day, monthly it will be Rs.300/- and yearly this amount will be Rs.3600/- If the person simultaneously used to puff in such way for a period of 30 years then it will become a large amount as Rs. 10,8000/- through which he can be established himself as well as his family members and became able to make them economically and socially prosperous. And another report collected by the websiteCostofSmoking.com estimates that the average cost of a smoker's habit in 2010 is $1,500 a year. This is money that could be spent on healthy habits or even hobbies. Instead, smokers literally pay this much money every year for an early death. There are a number of other indirect costs, such as higher cost of health, home owner's and life insurance. Smokers also earn between 4 and 11 percent less than non-smokers, according to the same website. During the investigation it is also found that in Assam, there are 36.4% people  used to smoke cigarettes, bidis and used tobacco such as Guthka, Shekhar, Rajanighandha, etc. in their daily life and waste a large amount in vain; so that our socio-economic status  bring to risk day by day.

 

Medical Disadvantage:

Few people would argue about the advantages of smoking though it has been well established that smoking is severely detrimental to one's health. In fact, the American Medical Association identifies tobacco smoking as the number one preventable cause of death in the United States. Thus, while some may believe there are personal advantages to smoking, they are far outweighed by the disadvantages.

 

The early age of initiation underscores the urgent need to intervene and protect this vulnerable group from falling prey to this addiction. The risks of tobacco use are highest among those who start early and continue its use for a long period. The role of pediatricians, thus, becomes especially relevant in countering this public health threat. In order to reduce the long-term burden of tobacco related diseases, adoption of successful prevention strategies is the only feasible solution in a low-resource country, such as India.

Recently, the World Health Organisation held a convention on Tobacco control and a public policy was also framed. Many government authorities all over the world have implemented the law banning smoking in public places. This is a significant and considerable step towards the eradication of smoking as an evil habit from the society.

 

Smoking cigarettes causes many health problems. It causes major respiratory diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, bronchitis and heart diseases. Asthma is the most common illness smokers usually have. It is caused by smoking or being in an enclosed area where there is lots of smoke. The nicotine present in the cigarette causes heart diseases by decreasing oxygen to the heart, increasing blood pressure, heart rate and blood clotting. It also damages the cells that are lined across coronary arteries and other blood vessels. Thirty percent of heart disease, deaths are due to smoking cigarette. The more a person smokes, the more the chances are of that person having a heart attack. Nobody wants to have any of these health issues and Allah, the almighty says: And do not kill yourselves. (Quran 4: 29)

 

According to the World Health Organization, women consist about 20% of the world, more than one billion smokers. Both men and women who smoke are prone to cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease. Tobacco also causes additional female-specific cancers and compromises pregnancy and reproductive health.

 

Medical Experts observed that 90% of all lung cancer deaths in women smokers could be attributed to smoking. Women who smoke have an increased risk for other cancers, including cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx (voice box), esophagus, pancreas, kidney, bladder, and uterine cervix.

 

Tobacco companies are doing very well all over the world. Every packet of cigars or cigarettes has a warning inscribed in it: “Cigarette smoking is injurious to health.” Yet the smoker never reads this warning and even if he reads it he never pays heed to it.

 

The government raises the price of tobacco every year. This is usually done to discourage people from smoking. Yet smokers continue to be slaves of this habit and often spend a substantial part of their earnings for smoking bidis, cigarettes and use of tobacco. As mentioned earlier, it is found that a man who used to smoke cigarette expend daily 100 rupees for puffing and monthly he expend 100 x 30= 3000/- and yearly 3000x12= 36000 rupees. If the person used to puff in such way for a period of 30 years then the amount will 36000x30= 10,80000/- Besides this, the poor section of the society who smoke Bidis, generally used to puff one bundle of the same and a box of matches expending Rs. 10/- per day, monthly it will be Rs.300/- and yearly this amount will be Rs.3600/- If the person simultaneously used to puff in such way for a period of 30 years then it will become a large amount as Rs. 10,8000/- through which he can be established himself as well as his family members and became able to make them economically and socially prosperous.  And another report collected by the website CostofSmoking.com estimates that the average cost of a smoker's habit in 2010 is $1,500 a year. This is money that could be spent on healthy habits or even hobbies. Instead, smokers literally pay this much money every year for an early death. it is also found that in Assam, there are 36.4% people  used to smoke cigarette and bidi in their daily life and waste a large amount in vain; so that economic status of Assam bring to risk day by day.

 

Moral Deterioration:

Smoking is a form of moral deterioration. It is most spread among the low-class immoral people. It reflects blind imitation of evil or corrupted personalities. It is mostly consumed in bars, discos, casinos, and other: places of sin. A smoker may beg or steal if he does not have the money to buy cigarettes. He is ill-mannered with his friends and family, especially when he misses taking his necessary "dose" at the usual time. A smoker whether he likes it or not, makes of himself an example for his children and others to follow. He leads them to commit this evil. Actions sometimes have a stronger effect than words. Thus, even if he advises them or forbids them from smoking, his partaking of it provides them with a strong excuse to do it.

 

The problem is worse when the smoker is of known piety or knowledge. In such case, his harm becomes more emphasized, because more people take him as guide and example, and are thus lead astray by him. This multiplies his sins and increases his burden.

 

Enmity toward the Good People:

The majorities of good people avoid smoking and stay away from smokers. Therefore, a smoker would be forced to stay away from them - at least while he smokes. He puts himself in a selective exile, creating a spiritual distance and hostility between him and the good people, and a closeness to the evil people. The effects of this become more apparent and acute with time. Note that this applies equally to any sin that a person commits, small or large.

 

CONCLUSION:

Cigarette advertisements entice people into smoking and most active smokers cause a great deal of harm to passive smokers as well. Smokers force the members of their family to bear the ill effects of the smoke that they exhale. Smoking can be stopped by a strong will power and every person has the capacity to give it up once he sets his mind at doing so.

 

Smoking and chewing tobacco is bad habit, so it should be stopped and consider it illegal. It is annoying or irritating to many people who do not smoke. Many activities are banned in public places just because they are annoying such as playing loud music. Loud music does not kill anyone, but smoking does. Cigarette butts discarded by smokers are everywhere which creates more and more litter. Discarded cigarettes, which are not properly extinguished, can cause fire in wooden structures, in parks and playgrounds. These cigarettes can also be harmful to birds and other creatures which swallow them.

 

It has been proven distinctly that smoking is not good at all. Above all, smoking is a health hazard, since it ruins everyone life. It should be banned because it has no beneficial advantages in society. There is an observation that "One thousand persons stop smoking every day.” For the foregoing reasons and for reasons considered elsewhere smoking is Haram or unlawful, hence it should be discouraged and finally banned in all over the countries.

Therefore, the suggestion is that all the smoking people and who used tobacco, understanding the above mentioned consequences should give up this kind of unhealthy activity. The best way to give it up is to stop all smoking completely. Tapering off on the amount one smokes does not work for most people. It is not easy to quit suddenly, but it is presently the most successful way. There are many ways and techniques available for a serious minded person to give up smoking, which should not be a difficult task.

 

REFERENCES:

1.        Ali, A. Yusuf (1938). The Meaning of the Glorious Quran, Dar-al- Kitab al-Misr8i, 33 Kasr El-Nil, St. Cairo, Egypt..

2.        Azad Releases First Global Adult Tobacco Survey, Ministry of Health and Family Warfare,  dated 19th October, 2010

3.        Gupta PC, Ball K. (19900.  India: Tobacco tragedy. Lancet

4.        Mishra A, Arora M, Stigler MH, Komro KA, Lytle LA, Reddy KS. (2005). Indian youth speak about tobacco: results of focus group discussions with school students. Health Education Behavior.

5.        Patel DR. (1999). Smoking and Children. Indian J Pediatr.

6.        Perry CL, Kelder SH, Murray DM, Klepp KI.(1992). Community—wide smoking prevention: long-term outcomes of the Minnesota Heart Health Program and the Class of 1989 Study. A J Public Health.

7.        Renaud L, O’Loughlin J, Dery V. (2003).  The St-Louis du Parc Heart Health Project: A critical analysis of the reverse effects on smoking. Tobacco Control

8.        Reddy KS, Gupta PC (eds). (2004). Report on Tobacco Control in India. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi, Government of India.

9.        Sinha DN, Gupta PC, Warren CW, Asma S. (2003).  School policy on tobacco use by the students in Bihar. Abstract book on the 12th World Conference on Tobacco or Health, Helsinki. 10. The Indian Express dated 11th September, 2012