National Tobacco Control Campaign Called Tears You Apart Launched

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India launched the nation-wide National Tobacco Control Campaign known as- Tears you apart. The aim of the campaign is to raise the public awareness regarding dangers of smokeless tobacco which is consumed by millions of Indians every day.

What is Smokeless Tobacco?

Smokeless tobacco is the most commonly used kind of tobacco in India. This kind of tobacco is used mostly by the lower socioeconomic groups as well as women. Smokeless tobacco comprises of gutkha, zarda, paan masala, paan with tobacco, and khaini.

The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) revealed that around 21 crore Indians make use of the smokeless tobacco. In India, 26 percent of adults consume smokeless tobacco. 33 percent of males as well as 18.4 percent of females consume smokeless tobacco.
 
About the National Tobacco Control Campaign

National Tobacco Control Campaign has been developed with the technical assistance from World Lung Foundation.

This campaign will provide support to the ongoing efforts of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for Implementation of the Food Safety and Standard Authority (FSSAI) regulation that prohibits use of tobacco or nicotine in any food product.

Around 33 states as well as union territories have already issued the instructions for the implementation of this regulation. According to this regulation, the production, sale as well as storage of the pan masala and gutkha which contain tobacco is strictly prohibited.