Analysis of the effect of bidi regulations and its influence on tobacco control in India
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1
Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, United States of America
2
University College Cork, Epidemiology and Community Health, United Kingdom
3
Mohan Dental Clinic, India
4
Central University of Tamil Nadu, Social Work, India
Publication date: 2018-03-01
Tob. Induc. Dis. 2018;16(Suppl 1):A580
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ABSTRACT
Background and challenges to implementation:
Limited regulations on bidis has multifaceted role in
exacerbating the poverty and is a major barrier in the Tobacco control and achievement
of SDGs 1 & 3 in India. Moreover bidis used domestically are expanding
internationally, increasing global consumer base and threatening the tobacco
control efforts undertaken via FCTC, WHO. This systematic review assesses the
economic and disease burden imposed by poor regulations, and their surrogate
role in preventing tobacco control targets of National Health Policy 2017,
India.
Intervention or response:
Systematic
review of literature was carried out by Digital search of published data using
key words with inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Results and lessons learnt:
In
India, 53% of the smokers consumed bidi. Low cost has influenced consumption
among the poor and students. Carbon monoxide and nicotine are 3 times and tar is
5 times higher than cigarettes. Apart from NCDs was associated with
Tuberculosis, Nutritional disorders and Candidiasis were. Bidis are
manufactured as home based instead of mechanized to elude the rights of bidi workers and also evade taxes. Also
promotes child labour and early initiation of tobacco consumption. Workers
develop dual burden of tobacco associated diseases and occupational hazards. Tobacco
exports have increased, especially to developed countries in the disguise of
natural herbal product and being less hazardous.
Conclusions and key recommendations:
Contrary to smoking trends elsewhere, bidi is the highest
form of smoked tobacco among the poor.
Absolute number of smokers between15-24 is increasing. Being least expensive
students are driven for early initiation and continuation. Further increase in
taxation on cigarettes in 2017, possibility of reversal of consumption pattern
and relative boost to bidi industry. Uniformity in policies, more specifically
taxation, on all tobacco products, will aid in effective tobacco control,
prevent product switching and realize the goals of poverty alleviation and good
health via tobacco control.