Dr Harsh Vardhan initiates coordinated effort for alternatives to tobacco crops

Dr Harsh Vardhan initiates coordinated effort for alternatives to tobacco crops

The Honourable Union Health Minister is trying to put in place a method to cultivate alternate tobacco crops. In this regard he has asked for a joint meeting to discuss the same on 29th October 2014. Dr Harsh Vardhan has initiated this coordinated, multi-ministerial move so that interest of farmers are protected. This meeting is in lieu of the government’s plan to lower the production of tobacco and protect the financial interests of the farmers that grow the crop.

The letter by Dr. Harsh Vardhan states that the Government of India has ratified WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and is committed to implement effective strategies for tobacco control in the country. The Charter of Tobacco Board which is directly under Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce control comes in conflict with some of the provisions of FCTC. As per Article 17 of FCTC – there have to be provisions of support for economically viable alternative activities. Voice of Tobacco Victims (VoTV) congratulates the Hon’ble Union Health Minister for addressing the livelihood issue of tobacco farmers. (Read: ‘The tobacco industry uses strategic tactics to dilute the tobacco control policy’)

Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, a senior cancer surgeon from , Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai , added, ‘The patients we treat are a constant reminder that tobacco is deadly in both cigarette and smokeless forms. It is high time alternatives must be thought before more lives are lost and Dr. Harsh Vardhan has initiated a great step by planning on alternatives to tobacco crops.’ The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-India) identifies that 27.5 crore people use any form of tobacco in India. Every day in India, 5500 children start to use tobacco in some or the other form. (Read: Fight against tobacco is a personal fight for me, says Dr Harsh Vardhan)

The harms of tobacco are countless. In India, around one million new cancer cases are diagnosed and around 600,000 to 700,000 people die from cancer. In a recent report of April 2014, around two-fifths (40%) of all cancers in India are attributable to tobacco use and the economic costs of illness and premature death due to tobacco consumption exceed combined government and state expenditure and state expenditure on medical and public health, water supply and sanitation. (Challenges to effective cancer control in China, India and Russia, April 2014 – The Lancet Oncology). Now, India is also known as the oral cancer capital of the world. (Read: The anti-tobacco drive gets a new face)

The stated mission of Tobacco Board is ‘To strive for the overall development of tobacco growers and the Indian Tobacco Industry’. There is thus a conflict between mission and activities of Tobacco Board, which is under the Commerce Ministry, and the goals of public health. The mission of Tobacco Board needs to be changed to reducing tobacco production and re-deploying tobacco farmers. (Read: Giving up the tobacco habit – a cancer survivor’s tale)

Tobacco grown for cigarettes [Flu Cured Virginia (FVC) and some burley and oriental] and exported tobacco products is controlled and subsidized by the Tobacco Board. FCV is grown in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. According to an article in industry trade press, Tobacco Journal International, there are close to 100,000 registered tobacco (FCV) farmers. FCV accounts for the majority of exported unmanufactured tobacco (75-80%). 50% of all FCV grown is exported. Growers and buyers have to register with the Tobacco Board which regulates production quantities (sets quotas), type and sale (auction system). (Read: World No Tobacco Day 2014: How to identify and beat your smoking triggers)