Category: Tobacco

Articles on harmful effects and impact of Tobacco in our lifestyle. Remedies to Quit Tobacco easily and much more. Keep Reading.

Inner Wheel District 315 launches Women as Tobacco Marshal

Inner Wheel District 315 launches WOMEN AS TOBACCO MARSHAL

Mrs. Sonal Bhatia, Tobacco MARSHAL leader, introduced “WOMEN as Tobacco MARSHAL” in the Inner Wheel District 315 as part of #SAVETHEYOUTH campaign by ICanCaRe.

District Chairman Mrs. Leela Chandhwani called an online meeting with her district Presidents and Members on “WOMEN AS TOBACCO MARSHALS TO SAVE THE YOUTH” and introduced the concept of Tobacco MARSHALs on 17th March 2023.

40 Presidents and members attended the program.

Dr. Pawan Gupta M.Ch. Founder ICanCaRe and Director of MAX Hospital Delhi said women are the greatest sufferer because of tobacco. The tobacco industry is targeting women in the name of liberation. As primary users, women suffer more than the man. And in this case, as a woman is married to a tobacco user her life is in total topsy turvy. Women suffer the most, and in the present era, they can be the savior of the present and the future generation. Every woman should be empowered as a tobacco MARSHAL to save herself, her family, future generation, and society from the painful prolonged suffering and death due to tobacco.

Mrs. Sonal Bhatia, leader of Tobacco MARSHAL a great motivator and who achieved a target of 1000 tobacco MARSHAL in 5 months during her tenure as DC of 310 was greatly appreciated for her pioneering work as a Tobacco Marshal along with her members. Her unique endeavor to reach out to the rural areas and create sensitization followed by training of 550 tobacco MINI-MARSHALs of NCC girls from the rural background was applauded and sought to be used as an example to follow by all to increase our reach and penetration in the most needed areas in our country.It is important for capacity building, to get more and more girls and women involved as Tobacco MARSHALs or MINI-Emirati Marshals to widen the campaign. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/icancare/permalink/1015483439099535/)

Sonal said, “women can become the shakti against Tobacco by commitment and empowerment by training”.

Mrs. Neelima Jhunjhunwala, President, of the Inner Wheel Club of Guntur Udhaan, was proud to be the first tobacco MARSHAL of IW district 315 and motivated a group of members from her club to be MARSHAL. The group has been conducting programs as MARSHALs in Guntur. “AS MARSHALS WE HAVE BEEN WELCOMED IN SCHOOLS AND HAVE GOT SUPPORT FROM GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES. IT IS A PRESTIZE TO BE A TOBACCO MARSHAL”. She stressed training as MARSHAL empowers them to talk with knowledge.

Tobacco MARSHAL is a responsibility – they

  • MOTIVATE to #besmartdonotstart
  • ADVISE to #quittobacco
  • RECOGNISE #chotadaana #SMF #TrisCaRe
  • SENSITISE to #becarefulandfearful
  • HANDHOLD to #SAVEtheYouth in need
  • ADD to network to #knowtobacco
  • LEAD the change for #TobaccofreeZones

One can become a tobacco MARSHAL by registering at http://www.icancare.in/academy/marshaland getting trained in “BASIC COURSE IN TOBACCO CONTROL” based on the *8R* principles of tobacco control by experts in the field and faculty of ICanCaRe.

Mrs. Leela stressed that tobacco is omnipresent, and it is important that inner wheel members come forward to tame the tambaku-asur. Motivated she urged her presidents to join hands with ICanCaRe to promote Tobacco Control – SAVE the youth from Tobacco and build manpower to work towards the tobacco endgame.

Members expressed their enthusiasm to become TOBACCO MARSHAL and SAVE the youth from the menace of tobacco.

Mrs. Parma Sarma expressed her full support to carry on this project. She is in the media and would be able to create an impact on society.

Mrs. Maya Chandwani PDC said this topic is very close to her heart and she urged others to join the cause.

The participants interested in the subject evoked numerousquestions. To a question on how can MARSHAL act and change Dr. Pawan Gupta said that each MARSHAL is important, that they start tobacco control from home and go on to increase the area of influence in society.

Mrs. Sonal Bhatia expressed her gratitude as her wish to achieve 10000 tobacco MARSHALS gains momentum with the inner wheel district joining her in her mission to SAVE the youth- NO ONE SHOULD DIE BECAUSE OF TOBACCO.

It is really heartening to note that district 315 of Inner Wheel is involved with District Chairman, Mrs. Leela Chandwani is all set in taking the lead. She assured that more and more members will get involved.

1. To become a tobacco MARSHAL one has to register on www.icancare.in/academy/marshaland pay a fee of Rs.1450/-. The course would be conducted by experts as per guidelines that will be followed for a standardized and timely upgraded course by ICanCaRe.

2. Knowledge – 4 hours of live interaction in 2 hours sessions. 8 modules. By experts.

3. The Topic will contain the following encompassing the following requirements: RELEVANCE, RISK, REWARDS, ROADBLOCKS, RECOGNITION, RESPOND, REFER, and RESPONSIBILITY

The journey has become for the NARI SHAKTI to end the menace of tambaku-Ashur

#innerwheel #innerwheel315 #innerwheel310 #sonalbhatia #Leelachandhwani #praveshsingh #pawagupta #reenarkumar #tobaccomarshal #icancare #womenhealthinitiative #womenhealth #tobaccomarshal #savetheyouth #icancareacademy

Inner Wheel District 315 launches Women as Tobacco Marshal

A 77 years old doctor smoker, should he quit now?

Author – Dr. Siddhi Hathiwala. MDS, Public Health Dentistry (2013), CTCS (2020)

During our weekly session of CTCS course for cessation experts, a point was raised about a 77-years old person, doctor by profession and describing himself in good health state in spite of being a chronic smoker for over 40 years. It was discussed that whether or not should this person be encouraged for quitting tobacco.

The scenario was brought up that if one of his friends tries to come up with this suggestion, the very first point that he will put that ‘I am a doctor myself, and all my health reports are perfect. Smoking tobacco has not caused me harm in the way it is presented. Above all, it helps me stay energetic for my clinical practice’. So it is true, as a doctor, he must be perfectly aware that tobacco causes harm to its consumers. Additionally, he must also be knowing that the diagnosis of an impending cancer can be very abrupt and alarming situation.

The point he must not have thought about is being a respectable social figure himself, he is presenting a wrong attitude before the society, especially the young generation. The young folks around him would look at him and consider that ‘smoking is super essential for having a successful long career’ or that ‘tobacco does not kill’. His patients must see him having discoloured teeth, and think ‘if my doctor smokes I too can continue my habit without harm.’

So, it is highly recommended that this aged doctor should participate in a tobacco cessation program and put up his best efforts to discontinue tobacco usage. It does not actually matter here if he is able to successfully quit or not, because in both ways he will become a ‘Role Model’ for a large number of people.

Firstly, it highlights the fact that attempt to quit is important. It can be any age, any duration, any form of tobacco. The harm caused by tobacco products includes strong addiction. If one stays away from them as low as 72 hours, they can overcome addiction and withdrawal symptoms to a large extent. The benefits of quitting start appearing and continue over the time. So, ‘Quitting brings Better Health – Each day, Each year’.

Secondly, if he fails, he can be an example for youngsters for the difficulties faced during quit process. De-addiction is a long process, which is full of ups and downs for the patient. It takes a strong commitment and hard work; and so many people face failure. The addiction caused by tobacco products makes it difficult for even a doctor to quit, leave apart any layman. So, it is the best practice for all to stay away from these products. So, ‘Be Smart, Do Not Start’.

An ICanCaRe-certified tobacco cessation specialist follows the ABCD Of tobacco cessation for a 100% quit rate.

Book appointment to start a healthy tobacco/smoke-free life with the best in class tobacco/smoking cessation experts at www.icancare.in/quittobacco or call 011-430-77695 for help. Download the ICanCaRe e-cessation app for quitting smoking and tobacco at https://app.icancare.in. 

Dilemma of a Doctor – Advise to Quit or Not?

Dilemma of a doctor – A 44 year old tobacco chewer with advance stage of cancer – should he be asked to quit tobacco???

Author – Dr. Monalee Prasad, BDS(2007), PGD in Aesthetic Dentistry (2009),TII -IDA(2020) ,OCTC (2021), CTCS (2021).

This is a case of a 44 year-old male patient suffering from Stage IV recurrent oral cancer with extensive neck and systemic metastasis. He was being treated somewhere in Uttarakhand. He attended OPD for treatment. He has been a chronic chewer and smoker for years and he continues to do so even after being diagnosed with advanced cancer with a short life expectancy. Besides the palliative treatment, the big question is about his tobacco – Should we ask him to quit? Or should we not ask him to quit?

How should we plan his treatment with regards to tobacco cessation?

The case was put for discussion during the tutorial for Certified Tobacco Cessation Specialists were – different difficult cases that we come across in Tobacco Cessation practice and their treatment are planned. It was a mixed opinion with more suggesting  that the patient should be told to quit tobacco.

The same question was put in the group who are actively working for tobacco control and the majority said that the above patient needs to quit so that the treatment will be helpful and the organs will respond better to treatment.

Now opinion from group of oncologists was seeked, unanimously they said there is no need for him to quit tobacco.

The argument put forth by was that with Stage IV cancer there is no hope of his long survival and it will not be of much help at this juncture to force him to quit. Also the handling of withdrawal symptoms is more difficult in this case along with the Palliative care that has to be provided. It will not improve the quality of life of this already dying patient.

Hence, it wouldn’t matter whether we advise him to quit or not. It would be his wish.

Also, in case we are able to convince him to quit; there are two case scenarios which were discussed and how we can use it as a positive messaging for the next generation.

One scenario is where he is able to quit completely and then the message that can be conveyed through him that even though he suffered from taking tobacco and has reached the last stage of his life, he could quit his habit with the help of our esteemed doctors. And if he can do it, anyone at any stage can do it and the sooner one quits, the better it is for health.

Second case scenario is when he is unable to quit despite all the efforts by the doctors and himself and he continues to smoke till his last breath. The message that we can pass on in this situation is that Tobacco is a deadly disease and really addictive one. Message is clear for the youngsters and family members – never to start such a habit and quit as early as possible. BE SMART DO NOT START and if you have then please QUIT.

So, an important learning was shared via this case by Dr. Pawan as to how to choose the messaging we need to convey to the society at large and always choose the treatment keeping the patient’s overall benefit in mind.

Medical treatment is available to quit tobacco and treatment from the cessation specialists should be seeked.

Do share your thoughts on this in the comments below? What would be your choice of treatment?