MUMBAI: The Maharashtra leg of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2016-17 shows that there is a statistically significant prevalence of women taking betel quid with tobacco (3.8% of adult women) as well as tobacco for oral application(8.2%). "Around 6.6% of women take khaini," said Shulbha Parsuraman of TISS. Around 8.6% of the total population uses gutka, which is a banned product in Maharashtra.
Health minister Dr Deepak Sawant said, "Gutka and pan masala were banned in Maharashtra in 2012. Yet there is a sizeable number taking it. Action needs to be taken in this regard." Incidentally, the ban on gutkha and pan masala is not being implemented by the health ministry. Enforcement of the law is the responsibility of the FDA.
The biggest health concern highlighted by the survey is the significant number of women smokers in Maharashtra. "When we conducted the first GATS survey in 2009, the number of women smoking cigarettes was nearly zero or statistically not significant, but the new survey has found that almost 1% smoke cigarettes or bidis," said Sulabha Parsuraman of TISS that carried out the survey. Dr P C Gupta of Healis, who was associated with the exercise, said the number of women smokers is almost as high as 8 lakh. "The fact that this rise has taken place in just eight years is worrisome," he said.
Most experts attributed lifestyle reasons for women taking up smoking. "In a popular film, the ending had the women protagonists celebrating their victory by smoking and drinking. So, the message is clear here," said Dr Gupta. Cancer surgeon Dra Pankaj Chaturvedi said there is a misconception that smoking kills hunger pangs. "Some women believe they can control their weight by smoking," he said.
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