According to a new study, India accounts for nearly three- fourths of over a quarter million deaths worldwide caused by smokeless tobacco. Nearly 85% of the total burden attributable to smokeless tobacco (SLT) use was in South-East Asia. India alone accounting for 74% of the global burden, followed by Bangladesh. The study collected smokeless tobacco consumption figures for 115 countries and estimated burden of disease for 113 of these countries.

It found that in 2010, smokeless tobacco use led to 62,283 deaths due to cancers of mouth, pharynx and oesophagus and 204,309 deaths from heart diseases. The study also found that SLT consumption was higher among males than females.

Smokeless Tobacco

• Chewing tobacco and snuff are the two main types of smokeless tobacco.
• Chewing tobacco usually comes in leaves or plugs that users put in their cheek pouches and then chew. Snuff is finely ground tobacco that users put between their gums and cheeks.
• At least 28 chemicals in these products have been found to cause cancer, including Esophageal cancer, Mouth cancer, and Pancreatic cancer.
• More nicotine is absorbed by chewing tobacco use than by smoking a cigarette.

How Nicotine Works?

• Nicotine works by making the brain release adrenaline-like compounds(such as norepinephrine).
• These “excitatory” neurotransmitters get the body revved up.
• Many people enjoy this feeling, but not the feeling that comes after it.
• Once the nicotine is gone, the brain will stop brain releasing the positive neurotransmitters. People who use tobacco will feel tired, depressed, and down.

Test Your Knowledge

_________ was the first Indian state to legally ban consumption of all forms of smokeless tobacco.