Despite facing bouts of polluted air, the residents of Chandigarh demonstrate remarkable care for their respiratory health, as evidenced by strikingly low tobacco consumption rates. Recent data tabled in the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reveals that the 'City Beautiful' boasts one of the smallest proportions of tobacco users within its adult population across the entire country.
Chandigarh Leads in Low Tobacco Consumption
The official figures indicate that only 13.7% of adults in Chandigarh use tobacco in any form. This places the Union Territory firmly among the top five states and UTs with the lowest prevalence of tobacco habits. A deeper dive into the data shows that within this user group, 6.1% of adults consume smokeless tobacco products. This achievement is particularly notable in a national landscape where tobacco use remains a significant public health challenge.
National Landscape: From Goa's Best to Tripura's High
Chandigarh's performance is contextualized by the wider national picture. Goa leads the country with the lowest adult tobacco use at a mere 9.7%, followed by Puducherry at 11.2%. Punjab, Chandigarh's neighbouring state, records a similar figure of 13.4%. In stark contrast, the overall prevalence across India stands at a much higher 28.6% of the adult population.
The data highlights a concerning geographical disparity, with several north-eastern states reporting the highest usage. Tripura has the highest percentage in the nation, with a staggering 64.5% of its adult population using tobacco.
A Silver Lining: Declining Trends Among Youth
Amidst the state-wise statistics, the ministry shared encouraging news regarding younger generations. According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) for school-going children aged 13-15 years, tobacco use reported a significant decline from 14.6% in 2009 to 8.4% in 2019.
Further bolstering this positive trend, data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) indicates a relative reduction of 54% in tobacco use among youth aged 15-17 years between the 2009-2010 and 2016-2017 survey periods. This suggests that nationwide awareness and control measures are having a tangible impact on preventing tobacco adoption among India's youth.
Chandigarh's example, combined with the declining youth usage, offers a hopeful narrative in India's ongoing battle against tobacco-related diseases. It underscores the potential for urban centres to cultivate healthier lifestyles despite other environmental challenges.
