1,000 docs want ban on tobacco, gutka

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Bengaluru: A memorandum signed by over a thousand doctors and dentists, including representatives from the Indian Medical Association and Indian Dental Association, seeking a ban on the production, marketing and consumption of gutka and tobacco products in the state was submitted to Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on Friday.
Nearly two crore people consumed gutka and tobacco products in the state, and of them, over 30 per cent died premature deaths, said Dr Vishal Rao, Consultant Oncologist and Director, Cancer Prevention Project, Institute of Public Health (IPH). The ill-effects of chewing tobacco and gutka are well known and it is a matter of serious concern, he said. Durgaiah, a 55-year-old resident of Kanakapura, who was a gutka consumer for 10 years, narrated his horror story. “After chewing gutka for so long, I started feeling restless and had breathing problems. I was diagnosed with throat cancer and my voice box had to be removed. I was bedridden and I lost my job and money. I have suffered a lot. Finally, with the help of Dr Vishal Rao and his friend, I got an artificial prosthesis at a subsidised cost and now I am able to speak,” he said.
Meanwhile, the violation of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act (COPTA) has been included in the monthly crime record about a week ago. Two nodal officers – one at the state level and the other at the district level – have been appointed to check on the implementation of the order.
The memorandum submitted to the government was signed by more than 1,000 doctors and dentists from across the state. Dr K. Mohandas Bhandary, Central Working Committee member and past vice-president of IMA, said, “Gutka is categorised under smokeless tobacco products, which is proven to have high potential for carcinogenicity. Continuous consumption of gutka can lead to an addiction which is why it is of much concern to the health of the community as well.”
The memorandum pointed that 20 other states have banned use of gutka and tobacco products.