Pune: India accounts for one-third of the world's tobacco users. This male-dominated addiction is also consumed by women. According to a white paper in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, the proportion of pregnant and breastfeeding women is the highest among such women.

In Maharashtra, 3.7 per cent of women consume tobacco. Out of the 24.8 crore people in the world who use tobacco in the form of other than smoking, 82 per cent or 23.2 crore live in India and Bangladesh. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, there are about 58.2 million women in the country who use tobacco.

IMPORTANT FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY

• In the north-eastern states, maximum women consume tobacco
• 17 per cent of women who consume tobacco are addicted from childhood
• 5.8 per cent adults in the country succeed in quitting tobacco addiction
• Compared to 2010, the proportion of women who use tobacco has decreased by 5%
• Women are less eager to quit tobacco addiction than men
• An average of 3.95 per cent women in the country use tobacco
• Stricter enforcement is required to curb tobacco use

SIDE EFFECTS OF TOBACCO CONSUMPTION

• Oral and throat cancer
• Oesophageal cancer
• Increases the risk of heart attack
• Women have a higher risk of cancer than men
• Possibility of adverse effects on children's health

REMEDIAL MEASURES

• Collection of gender-based information of tobacco users is required
• Awareness on tobacco prevention among women is essential
• Research is needed on why tobacco is used
• It is necessary to create awareness by studying customs and traditions