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. According to a report 68 patients in a hospital at Montpellier, France, who had cancer of the lips, tongue, tonsils or other parts of the mouth, used tobacco.
Smokers seem to have a low level of tolerance in terms of anxiety and frustration.
They suffer from weak ego and super ego. They are unable to resolve their emotional and neurotic conflicts underlying in their psyche. We must try and combat the menace of smoking urgently. A firm Central legislation is the only remedy. A beginning can be made with prevention of smoking tobacco, in any form, at places of work and in public transport vehicles immediately.