There is no doubt about the sinfulness of suicide, it is the ultimate evil as it amounts to throwing the greatest gift of God, life, on His face. Besides, it is the worst form of murder because it leaves no room for correction or repentance. But what about the suicide in instalments which the modern lifestyle promotes in the form of smoking and other forms of use of tobacco. Sadly, the governments, advertisers and large commercial houses are complicit in promoting this form of slow poisoning.
Tobacco kills annually about 55 lakh people world over. Tobacco related diseases cause about 10 lakh deaths in India and they are easily avoidable. After China, which has 30 crore tobacco users, India has the second largest number, 27.5 crore. India spends about 30,000 crore rupees annually on treating tobacco-related diseases. This amount can be saved and utilised for human development. Now it has been proved scientifically that out of 4000 chemicals which tobacco contains, 60 are responsible for causing cancer. Nicotine, which is highly additive is found in tobacco. That is why it is very difficult to give up smoking. Mark Twain had jocularly commented: “You have not given up smoking, it’s very easy, I have given it up many times.”
Tobacco is highly dangerous for health as it harms almost every organ of body. It enhances health risks and reduces life span. Smoking is responsible for about 75 per cent cases of mouth cancer.
In spite of all these ill effects, why it is not being banned, it is a very important question. This is because of the narrow-mindedness of our rulers and planners. In India tobacco accounts for 8 to 9 per cent of total excise duty collections. Out rulers do not bother about public health and find it convenient to collect a large chunk of tax from excise on tobacco. Can’t we think the other way that Rs. 14,000 to 15,000 crore which is being collected from excise on tobacco results in an expenditure of Rs. 30,000 crore in fighting tobacco-related diseases. Even in monetary terms it is a net loss of great magnitude for the nation. Is it not mind boggling that India loses 10 lakh precious lives every year because of tobacco use, in addition to shortening of lives and other health hazards. Should we tolerate the use of this most dangerous health hazard and leading cause of death for monetary considerations? Should we not altogether ban this widespread form of suicide in instalments?