Imphal : 70 lakhs people dies per year from tobacco consumption in this world out of which 9 lakh deaths are from passive smoking with a huge number of infants and children being admitted daily due to lung cancer, respiratory problems, heart disease.

Every year on May 31^st  “World No Tobacco Day” is observed and this year’s theme is “Tobacco and Lung Health” primarily focusing on the negative impact that tobacco has on people’s lung health and how it can cause a variety of diseases ranging from cancer to chronic respiratory disease.

The anti-tobacco day was also observed in Manipur, a tiny state which is currently ranked third in tobacco consumption in the Indian context. As per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey II,   the prevalence among adults is above 15 years.  Manipur has a prevalence percentage of 55 which is double the whole India figure of 28%. This figure is a pointer that out every two adults, one adult in Manipur uses some or other form of tobacco. They either smoke or eat some form of tobacco. 

According to Dr. Somorjit Ningombam, the State Nodal Officer of the National Tobacco Control Programme,tobacco consumption is affecting the whole state despite the state’s best efforts to make the people understand the harmful effects of tobacco use like cancer, chronic heart disease, and respiratory problems.  As part of the state’s anti-tobacco drive, the state has set up a total of 16 tobacco cessation centre where smokers can get help in quitting their smoking habits.