‘One hour of Sheesha smoking equivalent to 100 cigarettes smoked’

Islamabad: The Prime Minister’s adviser on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction over the media’s role in cancer awareness. The World No Tobacco Day should not be limited to 24 hours only; the fight against tobacco should continue throughout the year, he stated at a World No Tobacco Day seminar organised by NORI.

Irfan Siddiqui called for a robust awareness campaign so that the need of hospitals for treatment can be reduced. “We require far less money for cancer awareness as compared to cancer treatment,” he highlighted.

The event featured sharing of experiences by cancer patients currently being treated at NORI. They narrated as how they fell prey to tobacco use, and ended up with cancer. “Smokers should quit as soon as possible in order to avoid repeated visits to cancer hospitals,” they collectively agreed.

Symbolic cigarettes were crushed by participants to express their hatred for tobacco consumption. A walk for the cause was also held in the end.NORI’s Director Dr. Mohammad Faheem highlighted the efforts of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in the fight against cancer.

His address included an attention-grabbing picture of a child smoker. He apprised the participants that a one-hour session of ‘Sheesha’ smoking is equivalent to 100 cigarettes smoked, while 8-10 times of ‘naswar’ chewing per day is equivalent to 2 packs of cigarettes.

 He urged the media, politicians, and public figures to play a pivotal role in the anti-tobacco campaign. He encouraged quitters by informing that within 20 minutes of quitting, their blood pressure reverts to normal.

Dr. Humera Mahmood, head of the oncology department at NORI, shared alarming facts about tobacco usage among Pakistani women. “More than 7 per cent of our rural women use tobacco either in the form of ‘huqqah,’ ‘naswar,’ ‘pan’ chewing, or cigarette. She said, women who smoke feel empowered and independent as they consider it a “manly thing” and a status symbol.

Sharing data from NORI, Dr. Humera said, 31 per cent male and 8 per cent female cancer patients during 2010-15 were smokers. She urged tobacco users to quit smoking during the ideal month of Ramazan, which teaches abstinence.

Dr. Jamal Nasir, president of Pakistan Green Task Force, appreciated NORI’s struggle in cancer treatment and awareness. Member Science PAEC Dr. S M Javed highlighted the services being provided by PAEC Cancer Hospitals. “More than 80% of cancer patients are being treated at Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals, regardless of age, financial status, and stage of disease,” he said.Earlier, Dr. Sana Mehmood highlighted the background of World No Tobacco Day.