Make India Tobacco-free: FAIMA writes to PM Modi, seeks immediate action

The doctors' association said in the letter that tobacco use is one of the biggest public health threats in the country and it causes almost 1.35 loses of lives every year. It not only leads to loss of lives but also has heavy social and economic costs for the public. The FAIMA has also launched a campaign to educate the people about the ill effects of tobacco.

Pointing out that India is the second largest producer and consumer of tobacco, the association further stated in the letter, "The most prevalent form of tobacco use in India is smokeless tobacco such as 'khaini', 'gutkha' and 'paan' with 'zarda'. Other smoking forms of tobacco are 'bidi', cigarette and 'hookah'. We request you to control the use of tobacco in every form to save the population and remove public health threats." 

"Through the 'Tobacco-Free India' campaign, we are trying to make the public aware of the ill-effects of tobacco. We initially launched the campaign at every medical college of the country; later, we will expand it in the public domain," said Ajay Kumar Singh, national president, FAIMA.

Taking about the further plans of FAIMA in handling the issue of excessive tobacco consumption, another member of FAIMA Dr Manish stated, " We will start it in public domain after it gets successful in Hospitals all over India. We will take help of Judiciary Bureaucracy too after politicians' help."