Thiruvananthapuram, April 2 (IANS) Medico-legal experts here have cried foul over the absence of intent betrayed by political parties in their manifestos for the Lok Sabha polls, when it comes to tackling the perils of tobacco use.
The irony, experts say, is that while the manifestos make bombastic promises such as focus on preventive rather than curative measures, health security for all and health for all families/habitations, no party has come forward to address the critical issue.
"A look at the poll manifestos of leading parties in the Lok Sabha elections from 2004 - the year in which India ratified the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) - shows that none of them has the political will to remedy this health malady," said eminent oncologist M. Krishnan Nair.
Nair, who is also founder director of Regional Cancer Centre here, said tobacco causes one million deaths in India annually.
The rate of cancers caused by tobacco use is 40 percent in men and 15-20 percent among women, he said, pointing out that political parties have not taken up seriously this issue dealing with preventable public health.
He also exhorted political parties to sincerely consider inclusion of issues related to greater public good, such as tobacco control, and added that medical resources are already being severely stretched.
Nair said there is now one doctor serving 1,800 people as against the WHO guideline of one doctor for 1,600.
"There is a resource gap of approximately 1.4 million doctors and 2.8 million nurses. Hospital bed density in India is significantly short of WHO guidelines of 3.511 per 1,000 patients. Collective will is required to limit preventable tobacco-induced diseases and save our medical resources for more genuine needs," he added.
Justice (retd) D. Sreedevi, former chairperson of the Kerala Women's Commission, said tobacco use was not just a public health issue, but also a matter of social injustice.
"Macro-economic policy changes through measures such as higher tobacco taxes coupled with no-holds-barred implementation of Indian tobacco control law, COTPA, to protect youth from tobacco initiation are needed in earnest. This intent is not reflected in the poll manifestos of any political party," said the retired judge.
Veteran journalist Leela Menon said the media has rightly highlighted the harms caused by tobacco use and pointed out to the need for multiple efforts to bring down its use and resultant diseases
"It is interesting to note that in spite of the wide media pressure, none of the political parties has thought it fit to come out in open support of this cause," she said..
"Political parties do not seem interested in people's health or welfare. Instead, they are only interested in generating votes," said Menon.
Earthquake tremors are being felt frequently in India. At the same time, once again a strong eart
Moderate to heavy snowfall in Kashmir Valley, transportation grounded
Srinagar, March 16 (IANS) Heavy rain and snowfall on Monday affected life across Jammu and Kash
Partly cloudy Tuesday in Delhi
New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) It was a sunny Tuesday morning in the national capital with the mini
Modi working for Few Industrialists: Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Wednesday accused Prime Minister Na
The investigation into the rape and murder of a female doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College
Food, fashion, music experts to turn coaches
New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) Chef Nikhil Chib, fashion designer Nikhil Thampi and musical group MID
Anna Hazare Plans Fresh Agitation against Corruption
Ralegan-Siddhi (Maharashtra), Jan 29 (IANS) Veteran Gandhian Anna Hazare might launch another a
Good news: Jharkhand government will prepare for NTSE, Olympiad, and CLAT exam, read here
National Talent Search Examination (NTSE), Olympiads, and Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) will n
Dara Shikoh's Neglected Library may Become Tourist Spot
Agra, Feb 3 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh government will renovate the neglected red sandstone struc
The repo rate will remain at 6.5 percent, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das announced after the MPC me
