Doctors get vocal: Quit smoking

Now instead of just writing prescriptions, doctors will motivate an addict to get rid of the addiction

Smokers trying to kick the butt may do it faster with a little help and support from their local or treating doctors. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), only 27 per cent of the doctors talk to their patients about the ill-effects of tobacco during the course of treatment.

On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day on Saturday, 3,500-odd doctors from the civic hospitals kicked off a campaign to help quitters in a proactive manner rather than only writing prescriptions. Studies have shown that 70 per cent of smokers have a strong urge to quit but they don’t succeed for want of a constant support system. “A healthcare worker is believed far more than others when it comes to understanding the perils of smoking,” said Dr Ravikant Singh, spokesperson, Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD). Professors and lecturers from the civic and government hospitals have also pledged to become a part of the campaign. “Our first step would be sensitise doctors about how they can motivate an addict to get rid of the addiction,” he added.

Private practioners will also be roped in eventually to become a part of the year-long campaign called ‘Don’t stay silent, doctor!’. The WHO has also suggested that involvement of doctors and nurses can be one of the most effective strategies to prevent and control smoking. This international body also states that only 2 per cent smokers quit on their own. But, this number can swell till 20 per cent wit the involvement of a doctor. This campaign will primarily target youngsters between the age-group of 13-18 years. “This is the age group where students take to smoking largely due to peer pressure,” said Dr Purna Kurkure, pediatric oncologist, Tata Memorial hospital, Parel.
According to the Global Youth tobacco Survey (GYTS), supported by the WHO and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average percentage of a student who smoked their first cigarette before 10 years is an alarming 54 per cent. The study points that more than 2 in 10 students in Mumbai currently use any form of tobacco of which about 15.6 per cent smoke cigarettes while 15.9 per cent use some other form of tobacco.

Most importantly, doctors aim to prevent the youth from the tobacco trap. “Once hooked to tobacco at this age, these kids become life-long consumers,” said Dr Kewal Jethwani of the NGO, Doctors for You. He added that about 400 educational institutions including schools and colleges have been shortlisted for the awareness programmes. “Our focus will be to educate students primarily between 7-12th standard about nicotine addiction and ways to beat it,” he said.

Under the campaign, these doctors also propose to demand for legislation wherein tobacco manufacturers are not allowed to sponsor sports or larger public events.

d_sumitra@dnaindia.net