COTPA stands for the "Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003". The Act is applicable to all products containing tobacco in any form as detailed in the Schedule to the Act. The Act extends to the whole of India including the State of Jammu and Kashmir. It is an Act of Parliament of India enacted in 2003 to prohibit advertisement of, and to provide for the regulation of trade and commerce in, and production, supply and distribution of cigarettes and other tobacco products in India.
Second-Hand Smoke (SHS) is the combination of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette/bidi etc. and the smoke breathed out by smokers. Involuntary (or passive) smoking is the exposure to SHS i.e. it involves inhaling carcinogens and other toxic components that are present in SHS.
Exposure to SHS results in lung cancer and heart diseases among adults, and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), chronic respiratory infections, worsening of asthma, reduced lung function growth, middle ear diseases and acute respiratory illnesses among children. Smoking at home affects babies and young children as well as the elderly and other adults, especially women. As per WHO, there are carcinogenic effects of SHS. In June 2002, a scientific working group of 29 experts from 12 countries convened by the Monographs Programme of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization, Lyon, France, reviewed all significant published evidence related to tobacco smoking and cancer, both active and involuntary. Its conclusions confirmed the cancer-causing effects of active smoking. It also concluded its evaluation of the carcinogenic risks associated with involuntary smoking and classified second-hand smoke as carcinogenic to humans There is clear scientific evidence of an increased risk of lung cancer in non-smokers exposed to SHS. It has also been shown that non-smokers exposed to SHS have a 25 to 35% increased risk of suffering acute coronary diseases.
Yes, it is definitely possible to quit tobacco use. Strong willpower along with proper counseling and social support holds the key. At times, severe addicts may require temporary use of nicotine chewing gum or nicotine patches (Nicotine Replacement Therapy - NRT) to aid in the de-addiction process. Research has clearly shown that definite health benefits, apart from socio-economic benefits, are associated with quitting tobacco use.
Come to OPD Building of Murshidabad Medical College & Hospital. Collect OPD ticket under "Psychiatry" and attend 4th floor, room no: 122. You can make a free appointment with us by website (www.tccmsdmch.com)