Public Health groups applaud tobacco & spitting ban move by Government

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Public health experts have welcomed the timely move by Government of India to ban the use of tobacco products and spitting in public places with the aim to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

We applaud to Government of India for taking timely step for imposing a ban on the sale of tobacco products and spitting in public places to prevent & control the spread of COVID 19 virus, said Advocate Ajoy Hazarika, Secretary, Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum, Assam . To protect their health and reduce their risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms, we urge all smokers and tobacco users to quit, especially at this critical time.

“There is growing evidence that smoking is a risk for Covid 19. Smoking worsens lung function and reduces immunity. Smokers who develop Covid 19 infection have more complications and greater risk of fatality. Even if a person is not affected by Covid, it is a good time to stop smoking. This improves immunity and can improve lung function within a few months. Apart from reducing risks from COVID, there are many other benefits on the lungs, heart and other parts of the body”, Dr. Srabana Misra Bhagabaty, Associate Professor cum in-charge dept. of Preventive Oncology, Dr.B.Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati .

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued directions to all states and union territories, to prohibit the use and spitting of chewing tobacco products in public places to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Chewing tobacco products like gutka, khaini, paan masala and areca nut (supari) increases the production of saliva leading to the urge to spit. Spitting in public places can enhance the spread of the COVID-19. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also appealed to Indians to not consume and spit smokeless tobacco products in public places to check the spread of the COVID19 virus. It is to be mentioned that, over 20 states and 3 Union Territories have already banned the use of smokeless tobacco products and spitting in public places during the COVID-19 epidemic.

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