6% Hubballi People Suffer Cardiac Arrest due to Tobacco

Source from:  The Hindu 06/02/2015

Chewing tobacco is a common practice among the residents of Hubballi and other places in North Karnataka region and a study has revealed that six per cent of the population of Hubballi suffered from sudden cardiac arrest due to consumption coupled with high level of stress.

According to Abnormality Report released by Indus Health Plus, which conducted survey in association with KLES Hospital, 17 per cent of the Hubballi population is under the risk of developing head and neck cancer due to consumption of tobacco.

Of the population, 8.11 per cent of male and 8.64 per cent of women are suffering from oral, head and neck cancer, says the report, which is based on survey between January 2014 and April 2015. It has also revealed that six per cent of the women who smoke suffered from osteoporosis.

Intake of smoke and smokeless tobacco has increased the risk of cancer is both men and women between the age group of 35–45 years in the region.

According to Preventive Healthcare Specialist of Indus Health Plus Amol Naikwadi, 15 per cent of the cancer patients in the country are children and young adults, compared to the global average of 0.5 per cent and 71 per cent of deaths occur in the productive age group of 30-69.

The Abnormality Report said that youngsters in Hubballi are prone to cigarette smoking which causes severe cough and bronchitis and the average lung age of Hubballi populace had been affected deeply giving rise to respiratory diseases. As compared to men females are more prone to chest infections (6.74 per cent) caused by smoke and smokeless tobacco, said the report.

Mr. Nailwadi said that there was strong and effective education campaign to prevent the increasing cases of cancer caused by tobacco consumption.

The report also reveals that Hypertension cases have also increased and 2 to 4 per cent of the females had settled for gutkha and other tobacco products. Enditem