Tobacco contains harmful substances such as nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar. On inhalation, these substances enter the bloodstream affecting the brain and causing heart and other ailments. Tobacco intake is a major contributing factor for causing cancer also. 20 to 25 per cent of coronary heart diseases and stroke are attributed to smoking. Similarly, there is proved co-relation between smoking and infertility.
Children are the main prey to tobacco smoking.
India is the world's third largest tobacco producing country. Nearly 50 per cent of the tobacco produced is consumed in the domestic market annually. This seems to be the main consideration for India clearing a proposal to allow India Tobacco Corporation to triple the capacity of its Kidderpore Plant in Calcutta. Though some States, including the National Capital Territory of Delhi, are conscious of the hazards of smoking and have undertaken suitable legislation in this regard, but their implementation is half-hearted, as indicated in a recent Press Report. The contention that smoking causes disease is almost as old as the use of tobacco itself.