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Large-scale awareness campaigns against tobacco have been run in India for years. The central government has tightened the rules, making large pictorial health warnings on packets mandatory. But despite all these efforts, a very worrying picture is emerging before us. In today’s time, the scope of tobacco is not limited to just traditional cigarettes or beedis. Hookah, vaping (E-Cigarettes) and different flavored tobacco products are rapidly spreading among today’s youth and teenagers. The biggest problem is that the young generation is adopting them considering them as ‘cool’ or ‘less harmful option’, whereas the reality is completely opposite and very scary. The misleading web of social media and the illusion of being ‘less harmful’ In today’s digital age, vaping or blowing smoke rings is being presented as a ‘modern lifestyle’ (lifestyle choice) in hookah lounges, cafes and social media platforms. Attractive packaging and sweet flavors easily attract the youth. Scientific studies have made it completely clear that the chemicals and nicotine used in e-cigarettes and vaping devices cause as much harm to the lungs as normal cigarettes. Nicotine is such an element which becomes addictive very fast and once in its grip, getting out of it becomes like a maze. Serious concerns from a pulmonologist (lung doctor)

"As a doctor, what worries me most today is that serious lung diseases are no longer seen only in those elderly or middle-aged people who have been smoking heavily for decades. On the contrary, now the initial symptoms of weakness in the lungs of 18 to 25 year old youth coming to the clinic are clearly visible. The surprising thing is that many of these youth do not even consider themselves regular tobacco users, because they think that smoking hookah or using vape occasionally does not fall in the category of smoking. This difference of perception is the biggest danger."

Tobacco’s all-out assault on the developing brain and body The human body and brain continue to develop during adolescence and early adulthood. Inhaling nicotine or any kind of poisonous smoke into the body at this delicate age proves to be extremely dangerous: Effect on the structure of the brain: Nicotine directly affects the chemical structure of the brain. This causes lack of concentration, mental stress, irritability and the ability to learn and understand for a long time becomes weak (Cognitive Abilities). Invisible and silent inflammation: The damage caused to the lungs in the initial stages is not visible from outside nor are any serious symptoms visible immediately. But inflammation persists in the inner parts of the lungs. Chronic diseases: This silent damage further makes the youth victims of life-threatening respiratory diseases like Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) at a very young age. Danger of Passive Smoking: Despite not smoking yourself, coming in contact with the smoke while sitting in a hookah bar or among friends (Passive Smoking) is equally dangerous. This has a very bad effect on the health of the people around and especially the children. The need for new methods of prevention and awareness Traditional anti-tobacco messages often focus on diseases such as cancer, which occur many years later. The youth see these warnings and think that this will not happen to them. So now we have to change the methods of awareness. We need to make youth understand that tobacco and vaping are immediately affecting their physical ability, stamina and quality of life today. In this direction, the Uttar Pradesh government has taken a very commendable and important initiative. The state government has issued strict instructions to declare all educational institutions (schools and colleges) as completely ‘tobacco free zones’. Its main objective is to prevent children and adolescents from being exposed to any form of tobacco at an early age. Collective responsibility of parents, teachers and society to solve this problem will not be solved by just making laws, but it will take active efforts at every level: Early start: Open and practical conversations should be held within schools and colleges on the harms of tobacco and vaping. Parental monitoring: Parents and teachers need to keep an eye on children’s changing behaviour, their company and the sudden acquisition of new gadgets (like vape pens). Role of doctors: During routine checkup, doctors should also ask the youth openly about their lifestyle and occasional smoking. Government de-addiction services: Youth or citizens who want to give up this addiction can without any hesitation consult their doctor or take the help of free government de-addiction services and counseling provided under the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP). World No Tobacco Day reminds us every year that prevention is always better than cure. Staying away from tobacco is not just a personal decision of any one person, but a big responsibility to make the entire society healthy and strong.