To step up the fight against tobacco, experts have underlined the need for Harm reduction strategies to reduce the potential risks associated with health behaviours
ICMR released a white paper underscoring the dangers of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) on ‘World No-Tobacco Day’.
Experts have called for a holistic approach on the subject .
Dr Anoop Misra, Consultant, Diabetologist, Fortis C-DOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology said, “It is extremely important to develop public health strategies that rely on innovation to reduce harm. Harm reduction as a public health strategy aims to reduce the potential risks associated with health behaviors.
It neither condones nor condemns any addiction but evaluates the consequences of such addiction and tries to reduce the harms that it poses for individuals, families and communities. Countries like UK, Canada, Unites States are promoting substitution for combustible tobacco with less harmful non-combustible sources of nicotine like ENDS. These should be available as harm reduction strategy for chronic cigarette smokers, but similar to tobacco, should be restricted to underage population. India should consider robust tobacco control policies and should also learn from the experiences of other countries and formulate effective regulatory guidelines.’
Dr Sameer Kaul, Founder President of The Cancer Foundation, said: “On the contrary clear indications of declining smoking rates in USA and Europe undeniably place ENDS as the most novel anti-tobacco smoking strategy till date.” (UNI)
