Chewing tobacco also harmful

Chewing tobacco, or what is used as Jorda, is a common habit in our country and many people use it with betel leaf, popularly known as paan. Unfortunately, a colleague of mine died after a long battle with throat cancer developed, as physicians said, for his addiction to chewing tobacco. Those who have already been addicted to Jorda, believe it is not as dangerous as smoking although both are equally harmful for human health and cause deadly diseases like cancer, dental problems and problems in respiratory system. Use of paan with tobacco is also popular in India and Pakistan, and thus it has been a culture in this part of the world.

However, it is high time we had avoided use of tobacco in every form. While smoking is common everywhere in the country, Jorda is more popular in rural Bangladesh. We should launch a campaign to make the commoners aware about harmful effects of chewing tobacco. It is equally addictive like cigarette and the users cannot give up chewing tobacco once they develop this bad habit. Tobacco increases chances of sudden death and it brings plenty of other health hazards. And we must not forget that life is a precious gift and that we have a responsibility to our children and society.

Sajjad Hossain

Gulshan, Dhaka