You don’t have to watch movies or read labels on cigarette packs to know the ill-effects of tobacco. It’s not an unknown fact that tobacco is the main cause for oral cancer, yet as per GATS -2 India (2016-17), 26.8% adults aged 15 and above use tobacco in any form. Ironically, tobacco industry in India is one of the largest in the world today but the cost it involves is something to ponder upon. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Bihar are the major tobacco producing states in India.
Tobacco affects not only smokers but people who are involved in its production right from its inception. To begin with tobacco affects the environment adversely as thousands of hectares of forests are cleared every year for production of tobacco. This results in deforestation and loss of flora and fauna as well thereby disturbing the eco system. The tobacco industry employs women and children who are not only the most vulnerable population of the society but receive a meagre salary of Rs 88 (8.8 paise) for 1000 beedis they roll. According to the industry body, beedi producers employ about 8 million rollers, mostly women. They also work under inhuman conditions and lead unhealthy lives Beedi rollers are exposed to unburnt tobacco dust which affects their throat and pharynx. Beedi workers also suffer from Green Tobacco Sickness, which occurs when nicotine is absorbed through skin as workers come into contact with leaves while harvesting the crop.
Basic safety norms are not followed in Indian beedi factories as workers don’t wear masks to cover their mouth or proper gloves to protect their hands. Most beedi rollers expose not only themselves to the hazards of tobacco production but also the entire family is exposed to tobacco dust as they are mostly home based.
Is tobacco industry really contributing to the growth and development of the country? In 2011, the amount spent on diseases attributable to tobacco was Rs. 1,04,500 crores, which is 1.12% of that year’s GDP. On the other hand the amount earned through excise revenue from 2011-2014, was only 17% of the cost.
Think. Is tobacco industry the most lucrative industry?
Source:
Quit Smoking
Tobacco affects not only smokers but people who are involved in its production right from its inception. To begin with tobacco affects the environment adversely as thousands of hectares of forests are cleared every year for production of tobacco. This results in deforestation and loss of flora and fauna as well thereby disturbing the eco system. The tobacco industry employs women and children who are not only the most vulnerable population of the society but receive a meagre salary of Rs 88 (8.8 paise) for 1000 beedis they roll. According to the industry body, beedi producers employ about 8 million rollers, mostly women. They also work under inhuman conditions and lead unhealthy lives Beedi rollers are exposed to unburnt tobacco dust which affects their throat and pharynx. Beedi workers also suffer from Green Tobacco Sickness, which occurs when nicotine is absorbed through skin as workers come into contact with leaves while harvesting the crop.
Basic safety norms are not followed in Indian beedi factories as workers don’t wear masks to cover their mouth or proper gloves to protect their hands. Most beedi rollers expose not only themselves to the hazards of tobacco production but also the entire family is exposed to tobacco dust as they are mostly home based.
Is tobacco industry really contributing to the growth and development of the country? In 2011, the amount spent on diseases attributable to tobacco was Rs. 1,04,500 crores, which is 1.12% of that year’s GDP. On the other hand the amount earned through excise revenue from 2011-2014, was only 17% of the cost.
Think. Is tobacco industry the most lucrative industry?
Source:
Posts
