According to Dr. H.J Singh, Chest specialist and Chairman of the Punjab chapter of the Association of Chest Physicians, smoking is a giant killer. He stated that tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable diseases and death in India. Recent studies have reported 6.5 lac death in India due to smoking and these studies have stressed the importance of warning and awareness without which the death toll can surge further. He added that smoking accounts for 25% of male deaths and 10% of female deaths between the age of 30-70 years. 

Dr. Singh added that smoking not only causes lung, breast, head, neck, and bladder cancers but also causes COPD. It is a chronic and preventable disease diagnosed in 25% of the population in Asia along with another 15% of the population diagnosed with permanent bronchitis.

Several surveys have shown that the majority of smokers want to quit smoking, however, the rates remain low. Hence, people who want to quit smoking/tobacco need proper motivation and effective medication that can improve their quality of life.

Source: The Tribune