Syllabus: GS2/ Health
In News
- The WHO Global Report on Trends in Prevalence of Tobacco Use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 presents estimates of tobacco use prevalence among the population aged 15 years and older from 2000–2024, with trends projected to 2030.
Key Highlights
- Global Trends:
- Decline in Use: Global adult tobacco use dropped from 26.2% (2010) to 19.5% (2024).
- Still Prevalent: Despite progress, 1 in 5 adults globally still consumes tobacco.
- E-Cigarettes Rise: Over 100 million people worldwide now use e-cigarettes, posing new regulatory and health challenges.
- India’s Progress & Status:
- Tobacco Users (2024): Around 243.48 million Indians aged 15+ use tobacco.
- Global Standing: India is the 2nd largest producer (after China) and 2nd largest exporter (after Brazil).
- Progress: On track for a 43% reduction in prevalence (2010–2025), exceeding the WHO NCD target of 30%.
India’s Measures To Curb Tobacco Consumption
- Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003: Prohibits smoking in public places, bans tobacco advertising, restricts sales to minors, regulates packaging and labeling.
- Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019: Banned production, import, sale, and advertisement of electronic cigarettes and similar devices.
- National Tobacco Control Programme (launched in 2007-08): Aims to create awareness about harmful effects, aligned with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
- Tobacco-Free Film Rules (2024): Enforced new standards for tobacco depiction in films and TV.
- Yellow Line Campaign: Introduced visible indicators (yellow lines) around schools to reinforce bans on tobacco sales within 100 yards.
- Taxation and Price Interventions: Incremental increases in excise and GST duties, though experts recommend further hikes to maximize impact.
| About Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) – It is an annual herbaceous plant native to tropical and subtropical regions of South America and widely cultivated worldwide. – It requires a frost-free period of 90–120 days, with optimal temperatures of 20°C–30°C and at least 500 mm of rainfall; prefers well-drained sandy loam or alluvial soils. – Every part of the plant (except the seed) contains nicotine (2–8% nicotine), concentrated mostly in the leaves (about 64% of total plant nicotine content). |
Source: TH
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