Tobacco is commonly used in India. While choosing a groom, no one really bothers to ask about tobacco use. Tobacco use till now is still an acceptable social norm.
I have a question – “Would you marry your daughter to a person who is diseased or likely to have a disease?”
- “Arre Shadi ke baadh ladka tambaku chhod dega” (boy would quit tobacco after marriage) – why after marriage, let him quit for 6 months and then propose.
- “Bahu tambaku chudwa degi” (daughter in law would make him quit tobacco) –
Wow, the newlywed daughter-in-law is a demi-goddess and she is expected to do everything including tobacco cessation, that the mother, father, brother or sister could not do!
Why tobacco cessation after marriage? Why not before it?
If anyone in the family is taking tobacco, the entire family is ruined.
This reminds me of one of my patients – Rita(name changed) and Rohan(name changed). Rohan had cancer of the mouth, and he had come to see me along with Rita and her mother. Rita and Rohan were teachers in a primary school. They fell in love and got married in spite of Rohan’s tobacco use (which he promised to leave as soon as they got married). They started their married life without him being able to quit tobacco. Sadly he continued and developed cancer within one year. On one hand, Rita was pregnant and was planning of delivering their baby boy while on the other Rohan was diagnosed with oral cancer. His chemotherapy and surgeries coincided with the baby’s birth. Sadly, throughout the treatment, no family member of Rohan ever came to see me.
Well, friends, tobacco is a disease. By all means, the tobacco user would have some or the other complication due to tobacco use may it be a heart attack, respiratory problem, dental and oral problem, cancer stroke, etc. (200 listed diseases to count from). Tobacco is a disease and it has the highest addictive factor in the World. Had it been so easy to quit, people would have quit tobacco by now.
Tobacco as a disease needs treatment like any other chronic disease with intervention, medications, and follow-up.
LET YOUR DAUGHTER NOT SUFFER BECAUSE OF YOUR IGNORANCE! BE CAREFUL WHILE CHOOSING THE GROOM, DO ASK ABOUT THE TOBACCO HISTORY AND IF REQUIRED DO A COTININE TEST TO KNOW.
How to IDENTIFY A PERSON USING TOBACCO WITHOUT ASKING –
There are tell-tale signs of tobacco use whether smoking or chewing. (Caution: the signs may not be confirmatory!)
- Stains on teeth and /or lips
- Bad foul smelly breaths
- Constant coughing
- Stains on nail beds, fingers
- Foul smelly hair and cloths
Some behavioral aspects that one needs to notice:
- Chewing gums – constant use
- Frequently disappearing
- Going for a walk avoiding you
- Friend circle
Laboratory and Qualitative assessment
- Laboratory tests are available for confirmation of tobacco use
- Qualitative assessment of present health assessment
Help is available. Tobacco as a disease needs treatment. ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Centres and Tobacco Wellness program – Online are a call away. The ICanCaRe team of Certified tobacco Cessation Specialists and Quit Coaches work with you to make your journey smooth, easy, interesting, and achievable.
The ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Program incorporates an evidence protocol-based digitalized intervention program which is fully scientific, medically validated and has a 92% success rate.
ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Centres with India’s first digital protocol-based assessment process guide intervention as per requirements.
Do visit the ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Centres or register online by visiting our page or call ICanCaRe quitline 011-43077695.