The Times Now Doctors Day Conclave convened esteemed medical professionals to commemorate their contributions and address critical health issues gripping India. Among the foremost concerns discussed was the profound impact of tobacco use despite existing national control measures.The panel underscored that current policies, though aimed at curbing tobacco consumption, have fallen short in mitigating its devastating toll on public health and the economy. Dr. Mohsin Wali, Senior Consultant in Oncology at Sir Gangaram Hospital, emphasized the urgency of addressing addiction-driven non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly among youth.
Yugal Sikri, Vice Chairperson & Managing Director of RPG Life Sciences, stressed the alarming rise in NCD-related deaths attributable to addiction, highlighting tobacco as a significant contributor. He posed a pivotal question on whether it’s the nicotine or its delivery system that poses the greater threat.Dr. Rohan Savio Sequeira, Consultant Cardio-Metabolic Physician, urged for a nuanced approach in understanding nicotine’s role, distinguishing it from the harmful compounds in tobacco smoke. He advocated for a shift towards ‘harm weighting’ or ‘risk grading’ of tobacco products, proposing a comprehensive index that assesses varying levels of risk associated with different products.The discussion also addressed the need for enhanced awareness and education among healthcare professionals and the public. Atish Majumdar, Senior President of Mankind Pharma, highlighted the need for health-risk labels and comprehensive addiction definitions to combat NCDs effectively.Dr. D. Dhanuraj, Founder-Chairman of Centre for Public Policy Research (CPCR), called for stakeholder engagement to accelerate awareness efforts and explore alternative nicotine delivery systems. He emphasized the inadequacy of current Nicotine Replacement Techniques (NRTs) and the necessity for updated education in rural areas.
The Conclave concluded with a call to adopt a novel public health strategy incorporating risk-based profiling of tobacco products. This approach aims to revolutionize tobacco control by prioritizing harm reduction and fostering comprehensive solutions to combat addiction-driven diseases. In Guwahati, where tobacco use remains a significant public health concern, the call for nuanced tobacco control strategies resonates deeply. The city’s market dynamics reflect both the challenges posed by traditional tobacco products and the potential for harm reduction through informed policy interventions.
