Sep 19, 2012
Gutkha is a serious health hazard
Gutkha is a highly addictive and toxic product, owing to the amount of
nicotine and tobacco content in it. India currently has the highest
number of oral cancer cases in the world. The areca nut or betel nut
used in the preparation of gutkha is a serious health hazard and a known
carcinogenic substance. Areca nut is consumed widely in India in the
form of paan or supari under the mistaken belief that it is actually a
mouth freshener, stress reliever or that it aids in digestion.
Areca nut, just like tobacco is a psycho stimulant and an addictive substance. Areca nut is in fact estimated to be the fourth most common addictive substance (after tobacco, alcohol and caffeine). The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer lists areca nut as a Group-I carcinogen. Even without adding tobacco, areca nut chewing is known to cause cancers of the larynx, stomach, lung and cervix in humans. Apart from cancer, areca nut addiction has also been found to be cause of heart attacks, arrhythmia, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Children born to mothers who habitually chew areca nut are seen to be smaller in size and usually have withdrawal syndrome.
Apart from containing areca nut, gutkha contains several toxic and harmful chemicals such as Eugenol, N-Nitrosamines, Sodium Carbonate, Ammonium Carbonate, Ammonia, etc. Apart from these, they contain high levels of heavy metals such as lead, arsenic that cause cancer, organ failure and various nervous diseases.
The Indian Institute of Environmental Medicine estimates that on an average, tobacco contains at least 19 known carcinogens and at least 30 metallic compounds comprising of heavy metals. Further, the Cancer Tobacco Research Institute (affiliate of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research) estimates that the popular brands of gutkha and pan masala such as Manikchand, Rajnigandha, Chaini Khaini, etc. all contain nicotine and gives the percentage of nicotine content in the various brands of gutkha and pan masalas available.
Gutkha or chewing tobacco is a known carcinogen and it is known to cause oral cancer and cancer of the esophagus, pharynx, larynx, stomach, and pancreas. Apart from cancer, tobacco also results in various health problems such as Gum Disease, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Hypertension, Peptic Ulcer Disease, and Coronary Artery Disease.
Health hazards of Gutkha
1. It is estimated that tobacco results in the death of over 10 lakh Indians a year. Further, around 75,000 to 80,000 new cases of oral cancer annually is registered in India and this creates a huge strain on the public and private health care system. India currently has the highest number of oral cancer cases in the world.
2. Apart from cancer, tobacco results in various health problems such as Gum Disease, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Hypertension, Peptic Ulcer Disease and Coronary Artery Disease.
3. Gutkha leads to Oral sub-mucous fibrosis (SMF), a pre-cancerous disease that is a first step to cancer. This has increased 20 to 30 times across the country. It also leads to throat, esophageal cancers.
4. Loss of appetite
5. Pregnant women in India who used gutka had a threefold increased risk of having a low birth weight infant.
Indian Scenario
According to Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) India, the estimated number of tobacco users in India is 274.9 million of which 25.9% are users of smokeless tobacco while 5.7% are cigarette smokers and 9.2% smoke bidi. This reveals that more Indians (almost 75%) consume smokeless forms of tobacco that includes pan, gutka, pan masala and khaini, mawa. Slowly and gradually the use of chewing tobacco is reaching at dangerously endemic levels in the country with 8% of all adults in the country chewing gutka.
India has the highest prevalence of oral cancer globally, with 75, 000 to 80, 000 new cases of oral cancers being reported every year. Nearly 80% of all oral cancer cases are due to the consumption of tobacco products like Gutka, pan masala, betel quid with tobacco and khaini. According to a study released in March 2012, by Tata Memorial Hospital, about 1.2 lakh deaths in 2010 occurred due to tobacco alone and most number of deaths--nearly 84,000 in men and 36,000 in women were from oral cancer due to smokeless tobacco.
India spends approximately Rs 300 billion annually in both public and private spending on treatment of tobacco related illness, accounting for roughly one fourth of all health spending. According to the WHO, the total economic cost of tobacco use in India for 2004 amounted to $1.7 billion, which is 16 percent more than the total excise tax revenues collected from all tobacco products in India in the financial year 2003-04 ($1.46 billion).
The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) India 2009 – 10 released by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) conveys that about (26.6%) population of Jammu & Kashmir is using tobacco product in one or the other of its form. Jammu & Kashmir has 8.0% use smokeless tobacco, 12% cigarette smokers and 3.8% bidi smokers.
Considering the health hazards related to chewing tobacco, which causes mouth, throat cancer, 14 Indian states Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Gujarat, Mizoram, Delhi have banned gutka.
These 14 states have banned the sale, manufacture and distribution of gutka, khaini, pan masala containing tobacco, based on the regulation issued on 1 August 2011 by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a statutory body under the health ministry to handle food related issues. According to the rule 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, “product not to contain any substance which may be injurious to health: Tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in any food products”.
With 13 states & 1 Union Territory announcing the ban on gutka and pan masala containg tobacco/nictotine, the bans have impacted about 38 million gutka users across the country. The % usage is based on Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2010 and the population numbers are based on 2011 census.
The author is Media Officer, Tobacco Control, Voluntary Health Association of India
Areca nut, just like tobacco is a psycho stimulant and an addictive substance. Areca nut is in fact estimated to be the fourth most common addictive substance (after tobacco, alcohol and caffeine). The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer lists areca nut as a Group-I carcinogen. Even without adding tobacco, areca nut chewing is known to cause cancers of the larynx, stomach, lung and cervix in humans. Apart from cancer, areca nut addiction has also been found to be cause of heart attacks, arrhythmia, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Children born to mothers who habitually chew areca nut are seen to be smaller in size and usually have withdrawal syndrome.
Apart from containing areca nut, gutkha contains several toxic and harmful chemicals such as Eugenol, N-Nitrosamines, Sodium Carbonate, Ammonium Carbonate, Ammonia, etc. Apart from these, they contain high levels of heavy metals such as lead, arsenic that cause cancer, organ failure and various nervous diseases.
The Indian Institute of Environmental Medicine estimates that on an average, tobacco contains at least 19 known carcinogens and at least 30 metallic compounds comprising of heavy metals. Further, the Cancer Tobacco Research Institute (affiliate of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research) estimates that the popular brands of gutkha and pan masala such as Manikchand, Rajnigandha, Chaini Khaini, etc. all contain nicotine and gives the percentage of nicotine content in the various brands of gutkha and pan masalas available.
Gutkha or chewing tobacco is a known carcinogen and it is known to cause oral cancer and cancer of the esophagus, pharynx, larynx, stomach, and pancreas. Apart from cancer, tobacco also results in various health problems such as Gum Disease, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Hypertension, Peptic Ulcer Disease, and Coronary Artery Disease.
Health hazards of Gutkha
1. It is estimated that tobacco results in the death of over 10 lakh Indians a year. Further, around 75,000 to 80,000 new cases of oral cancer annually is registered in India and this creates a huge strain on the public and private health care system. India currently has the highest number of oral cancer cases in the world.
2. Apart from cancer, tobacco results in various health problems such as Gum Disease, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Hypertension, Peptic Ulcer Disease and Coronary Artery Disease.
3. Gutkha leads to Oral sub-mucous fibrosis (SMF), a pre-cancerous disease that is a first step to cancer. This has increased 20 to 30 times across the country. It also leads to throat, esophageal cancers.
4. Loss of appetite
5. Pregnant women in India who used gutka had a threefold increased risk of having a low birth weight infant.
Indian Scenario
According to Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) India, the estimated number of tobacco users in India is 274.9 million of which 25.9% are users of smokeless tobacco while 5.7% are cigarette smokers and 9.2% smoke bidi. This reveals that more Indians (almost 75%) consume smokeless forms of tobacco that includes pan, gutka, pan masala and khaini, mawa. Slowly and gradually the use of chewing tobacco is reaching at dangerously endemic levels in the country with 8% of all adults in the country chewing gutka.
India has the highest prevalence of oral cancer globally, with 75, 000 to 80, 000 new cases of oral cancers being reported every year. Nearly 80% of all oral cancer cases are due to the consumption of tobacco products like Gutka, pan masala, betel quid with tobacco and khaini. According to a study released in March 2012, by Tata Memorial Hospital, about 1.2 lakh deaths in 2010 occurred due to tobacco alone and most number of deaths--nearly 84,000 in men and 36,000 in women were from oral cancer due to smokeless tobacco.
India spends approximately Rs 300 billion annually in both public and private spending on treatment of tobacco related illness, accounting for roughly one fourth of all health spending. According to the WHO, the total economic cost of tobacco use in India for 2004 amounted to $1.7 billion, which is 16 percent more than the total excise tax revenues collected from all tobacco products in India in the financial year 2003-04 ($1.46 billion).
The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) India 2009 – 10 released by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) conveys that about (26.6%) population of Jammu & Kashmir is using tobacco product in one or the other of its form. Jammu & Kashmir has 8.0% use smokeless tobacco, 12% cigarette smokers and 3.8% bidi smokers.
Considering the health hazards related to chewing tobacco, which causes mouth, throat cancer, 14 Indian states Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Gujarat, Mizoram, Delhi have banned gutka.
These 14 states have banned the sale, manufacture and distribution of gutka, khaini, pan masala containing tobacco, based on the regulation issued on 1 August 2011 by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a statutory body under the health ministry to handle food related issues. According to the rule 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, “product not to contain any substance which may be injurious to health: Tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in any food products”.
With 13 states & 1 Union Territory announcing the ban on gutka and pan masala containg tobacco/nictotine, the bans have impacted about 38 million gutka users across the country. The % usage is based on Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2010 and the population numbers are based on 2011 census.
The author is Media Officer, Tobacco Control, Voluntary Health Association of India
Govt should ensure quality food in trains,Railway premises:PIL
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw issued notice to the Railway Ministry, Chairman of Railway Board, Director General (Railway Health Services) and also the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on a PIL filed by Sardar Jagjit Singh, a retired Food Inspector with Railways.
The petitioner filed the PIL through counsel K C Mittal and said 23 million people travel by train in various parts of the country every day and "the petition focuses on the prevailing appalling conditions of sale and supply of adulterated food stuffs in Indian Railways."
The lawyer also submitted a CD containing a news article from a television channel and said "the worst is the insensitivity and failure on the part of the respondents to take adequate steps to ensure sale and supply of unadulterated, wholesome and hygienic food to 23 million passengers who travel everyday (24X7) by trains in different parts of the country."
Seeking a direction to various authorities to issue notifications in compliance the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, the PIL said, "...Establish prosecuting and adjudicating agency and Food Safety Appellate Tribunal, at micro level to monitor and check the food adulteration day and night at various Railway stations."
It said the checking should be done in passengers and goods trains, pantry cars, other food outlets in Railway area operated by private contractors or IRCTC or food plazas including unauthorised vendors and canteens run by Railways.
The bench has now fixed October 31 for further hearing of the matter.
Plea for hygienic food in trains
New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Wednesday issued notice to the central government on a plea seeking directions to it to take adequate steps to ensure that hygienic food is available to 23 million passengers at railway premises and in trains.A division bench of Acting Chief Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw sought response from the railway ministry, chairman of railway board, director general (Railway Health Services) and also the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSA) and posted the matter for Oct 31.
The PIL filed by Sardar Jagjit Singh, a retired food inspector with the railways through advocate K.C. Mittal said that 23 million people travel by train in various parts of the country every day and the petition focuses on the prevailing appalling conditions of sale and supply of adulterated food stuffs to the Indian Railways.
Mittal also submitted a CD containing a news article from a television channel to the court. The plea said: "The worst is the insensitivity and failure on the part of the respondents to take adequate steps to ensure sale and supply of unadulterated, wholesome and hygienic food to 23 million passengers who travel everyday (24X7) by trains in different parts of the country."
The PIL, seeking a direction to various authorities to issue notifications in compliance of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act said: "...Establish prosecuting and adjudicating agency and Food Safety Appellate Tribunal, at micro level to monitor and check the food adulteration day and night at various railway stations."
The PIL further pleaded that "the checking should be done in passengers and goods trains, pantry cars, other food outlets in Railway area operated by private contractors or IRCTC or food plazas including unauthorized vendors and canteens run by railways."
HC gives state govt 14 days to impose ban on gutkha
The Allahabad High Court has given 14 days to the state government to
take steps for banning manufacture, sale and consumption of gutkha
(paan masala containing tobacco). In the event of failure, the court
would consider passing directions in this regard to the state government
and gutkha manufacturers, the court said and fixed October 10 as the
next date of hearing.
The court said that it saw no impediments before the state government to implement the ban in the wake of many directions of the Central government in this regard. The court passed the order on Monday while hearing a PIL, filed by the Indian Dental Association (IDA) and Dr A K Mehrotra, an activist working on prevention of cancer. The PIL demanded ban on gutkha in the state.
Hearing the petition, the division bench of Justices Amar Saran and Anurag Kumar said: “We would like to have the response of the state government on the next listing as to the steps that have been taken in the 14-day period allowed by this court for ensuring compliance of the directions of the Cente for restraining the manufacture, sale and distribution of gutkha in UP. If the state failed to do so, this court may have to consider the need to issue a mandamus to the food business operators and the state government to follow the legal provisions imposing a ban on such products.” The court added: “The sincerity and commitment of the UP government to care of the health of its citizens by restricting the use of gutkha (which) is a health hazard, is under examination now.”
Taking note of the three letters issued by the Centre on May 8, August 27 and 29, directing the state to take steps for banning guktha, the court rejected the UP government’s contention that it required directions from the Centre for implementing the ban. “As the letters clearly contain the necessary directions to place restrictions on the sale and distribution of gutkha, we see no impediment before the state for not taking suitable steps for issuing the necessary directions in this matter in the next 14 days,” the bench said.
Earlier, the court had expressed its regret on the state government changing its stance. On May 23, the state had claimed that it was actively considering banning gutkha. However, on September 10, it told the court that it had referred the matter to the Centre for seeking directions. The court also agreed with the petitioners that already 13 states have imposed bans and the High Courts of Kerala, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Mumbai have upheld these bans.
Counsel for petitioners Vishnu Behari Tewari said: “One of our main arguments was that as per Food Safety Standards Act (FSSA) 2006, tobacco and nicotine could not be mixed in any food product and gutkha has been considered a food product. The court has agreed with our contention.”
The court said that it saw no impediments before the state government to implement the ban in the wake of many directions of the Central government in this regard. The court passed the order on Monday while hearing a PIL, filed by the Indian Dental Association (IDA) and Dr A K Mehrotra, an activist working on prevention of cancer. The PIL demanded ban on gutkha in the state.
Hearing the petition, the division bench of Justices Amar Saran and Anurag Kumar said: “We would like to have the response of the state government on the next listing as to the steps that have been taken in the 14-day period allowed by this court for ensuring compliance of the directions of the Cente for restraining the manufacture, sale and distribution of gutkha in UP. If the state failed to do so, this court may have to consider the need to issue a mandamus to the food business operators and the state government to follow the legal provisions imposing a ban on such products.” The court added: “The sincerity and commitment of the UP government to care of the health of its citizens by restricting the use of gutkha (which) is a health hazard, is under examination now.”
Taking note of the three letters issued by the Centre on May 8, August 27 and 29, directing the state to take steps for banning guktha, the court rejected the UP government’s contention that it required directions from the Centre for implementing the ban. “As the letters clearly contain the necessary directions to place restrictions on the sale and distribution of gutkha, we see no impediment before the state for not taking suitable steps for issuing the necessary directions in this matter in the next 14 days,” the bench said.
Earlier, the court had expressed its regret on the state government changing its stance. On May 23, the state had claimed that it was actively considering banning gutkha. However, on September 10, it told the court that it had referred the matter to the Centre for seeking directions. The court also agreed with the petitioners that already 13 states have imposed bans and the High Courts of Kerala, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Mumbai have upheld these bans.
Counsel for petitioners Vishnu Behari Tewari said: “One of our main arguments was that as per Food Safety Standards Act (FSSA) 2006, tobacco and nicotine could not be mixed in any food product and gutkha has been considered a food product. The court has agreed with our contention.”
Poor response to complaints of milk adulteration: Consumers
Consumers in the city, worried about reports of rampant milk
adulteration, have found authorities to be unresponsive to their
complaints.
HT had last month reported how milk samples from several prominent milk producers had tested positive for contamination and adulteration.
Following the reports, several consumers had approached the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), which had announced helpline numbers for consumers who suspected that the milk supplied to them was adulterated.
However, several readers who called the FSSAI helpline said they were
either ignored, or found the redressal mechanisms to be unfeasible. “I
managed to reach the adviser after four attempts. I was told to take a
sample to a municipal laboratory at Dadar, and asked to pay Rs1,000 for a
test. I don’t understand why citizens have to be charged for this,”
said Aelekh Kapoor, an Andheri resident.
Kapoor will also have to wait 15 days for the result. If the milk sample tests positive for adulteration, he will have to write to the designated district officer. The letter required signatures of two witnesses. “If the procedure is so lengthy, I have no hope that the problem will be solved soon,” said Kapoor. Other readers go no response to their calls. “When call the FSSAI helpline number, the call gets disconnected while I am being directed to the adviser. This happens every day. I do not know whom I can approach now,” said Nikita Mehra, Parel resident.
“Consumers would naturally want quick results in such cases. Charging them should not be a source of revenue for the government. The procedure should be consumer-friendly and act as a deterrent to offenders,” said Shirish Deshpande, chairman, Mumbai Grahak Panchayat.
However, Mahesh Zagade, state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner, said there were no fees charge for adulteration tests. “When we receive a complaint, we collect the sample and test it in our laboratory. A normal fee is charged only if the reports are negative. For quicker results, consumers can approach their local food safety officers.”
A Madhavan, assistant director of the enforcement department of FSSAI also denied that money was charged. “We do not charge Rs. 1,000. I will look into the matter and get it cleared,” he said.
Last month, HT got seven milk packets tested independently at two government-approved laboratories. The lab reports showed presence of detergent, urea, coliform, salt, sugar and neutralisers. According to Indian Council of Medical Research reports, these adulterants have harmful effects health.
HT had last month reported how milk samples from several prominent milk producers had tested positive for contamination and adulteration.
Following the reports, several consumers had approached the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), which had announced helpline numbers for consumers who suspected that the milk supplied to them was adulterated.
Kapoor will also have to wait 15 days for the result. If the milk sample tests positive for adulteration, he will have to write to the designated district officer. The letter required signatures of two witnesses. “If the procedure is so lengthy, I have no hope that the problem will be solved soon,” said Kapoor. Other readers go no response to their calls. “When call the FSSAI helpline number, the call gets disconnected while I am being directed to the adviser. This happens every day. I do not know whom I can approach now,” said Nikita Mehra, Parel resident.
“Consumers would naturally want quick results in such cases. Charging them should not be a source of revenue for the government. The procedure should be consumer-friendly and act as a deterrent to offenders,” said Shirish Deshpande, chairman, Mumbai Grahak Panchayat.
However, Mahesh Zagade, state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner, said there were no fees charge for adulteration tests. “When we receive a complaint, we collect the sample and test it in our laboratory. A normal fee is charged only if the reports are negative. For quicker results, consumers can approach their local food safety officers.”
A Madhavan, assistant director of the enforcement department of FSSAI also denied that money was charged. “We do not charge Rs. 1,000. I will look into the matter and get it cleared,” he said.
Last month, HT got seven milk packets tested independently at two government-approved laboratories. The lab reports showed presence of detergent, urea, coliform, salt, sugar and neutralisers. According to Indian Council of Medical Research reports, these adulterants have harmful effects health.
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