The Persistent Grip of Chewing Tobacco and Its Harmful Ef-Fects on an Individual – A Review Article

Abstract

A majority of individuals in India engage themselves in daily consumption despite the prominent warning labels on tobacco chewing products such as “Tobacco is injurious to health and tobacco kills”, “Tobacco causes painful death”, and “Tobacco users die younger”. Tobacco kills over 8 million people annually and is readily available at a meagre price in our country. Its nicotine content makes it a potent and highly addictive substance. Once an individual becomes hooked on nicotine, breaking free becomes a challenge due to the relentless grip of withdrawal symptoms and insatiable cravings. Tobacco has become a coping mechanism to help an individual navigate the stress, anxiety and emotional turmoil of life. This reliance bows to a psychological dependence that's hard to escape. Hence, the repeated and continued use of tobacco results in addiction. Its usage poses serious health risks, and there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco. From its origin in America to its global spread, tobacco’s legacy is complex and complicated. The modern-day challenges of regulations and health issues continue to evolve as society balances the interests of public health, economic considerations and an individual's freedom. In Ayurveda, Tobacco was first described as Tamakhu by Aacharya Yogratnakara in the 17th century. Combating this global threat is essential to save lives and improve public health. The need of the hour is to create awareness, which can help in decreasing the harmful effects of long-term consumption of tobacco.