Kathmandu. The smoking culture that has flourished in the name of ‘modernity’ and ‘style’ among the urban youth in recent times has started taking a frightening form. Especially among teenagers and youth in the age group of 15 to 32 years, the addiction to cigarettes and modern vapes is becoming uncontrollable.
The ‘tea restaurants’ and cafes that have opened in the streets, away from the eyes of the family, have become a ‘safe haven’ of smoking for the youth, while on the other hand, the trap of vape has spread to the classrooms of schools and colleges. The size of the overall cigarette market in Nepal can be estimated to be around 35 to 40 billion rupees annually.
According to the national census, about 35 to 40 percent of the total population of Nepal is in the age group of 15 to 32 years. This age group is the most addicted in urban areas due to the influence of company, fashion and modern looks.
The tea restaurants opened in the streets provide the facility of playing Ludo, Blocks, and Caramboard, creating an environment for the youth to spend the whole day. With no time restrictions and cigarettes available along with tea at a cheap price, even the teenagers who drink tea for the first time are easily becoming ‘chain smokers’. Similarly, the vape has come directly to the classrooms of schools and colleges as it does not need to be burned, can be put in the pocket immediately and has less odor.
According to the law, the sale or distribution of tobacco products to children and adolescents below the age of 18 years is completely prohibited. Smoking is not allowed in educational institutions, health institutions, child welfare homes, public places and transport vehicles. The sale of such substances is prohibited within the specified limits of educational institutions.
Fines and on-the-spot punishments have been imposed on those who smoke or cause illegal smoking in public places. The recent proposed legal amendments and regulations have introduced stricter provisions to impose a fine of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh, with a more stringent ban on the import, sale and storage of vape (electronic cigarettes) and new products containing nicotine.
But these legal provisions have been openly flouted in local markets, street tea shops and cafes. Due to the apathy of the monitoring agencies, the access of tobacco products to children is increasing at a young age.
Statistics from the World Health Organization and the Global Cancer Observatory have shown that the burden of non-communicable diseases and cancers has increased rapidly in Nepal. Medical research has confirmed that the consumption of tobacco products is the main cause of more than 35 percent of the total cancer patients in Nepal and more than 17 percent of the cancer in women. Among them, 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer patients are directly or indirectly victims of smoking. This small addiction, which starts with the gossip of tea shops and vape addiction, is pushing the young generation to the brink of deadly cancer in the long term.
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