Press Release

Gutkha use impairs reproductive and sexual health

Tobacco Free Kerala welcomes ban

Thiruvananthapuram, May 30 The recent ban on gutkha and pan masala not just saves people from the dreadful emperor of maladies cancer - but also promises a blissful marital life to Keralites. Though much has been said about smokeless tobacco-induced cancers, it is a lesser known fact that use of these products may lead to impaired reproductive health and sexual dysfunction among males and females. According to the Global Adult Tobacco (GAT) Survey 2009-10 conducted in coordination with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 13.1 per cent of males and 8.5 per cent of females consume smokeless tobacco products such as gutkha and pan masala in Kerala. A path-breaking study conducted by the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh has found that constituents of gutkha can alter the production of sex hormones such as testosterone in males and oestrogen in females. The study conducted in animals also found that gutkha use affects the normal function of a key family of enzymes, known as CYP-450 that is responsible for the production of these hormones. The hormone testosterone, produced by the testicles, is responsible for proper development of male sexual characteristics and sexual function. Dr.Sreejith N.Kumar, President, Indian Medical Association Trivandrum and Chairman, Indian Diabetic Education Association, explains two aspects of tobacco use that could damage sexual life. Erection in men is mainly a vascular process caused by pumping of blood into the penis. Use of tobacco in any form leads to atherosclerosis or the narrowing of blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the genital organ, leading to erectile dysfunction. Also chronic tobacco use leads to heart attacks and other diseases like hypertension which reduces exercise capacity. Post treatment, patients are advised controlled sexual activity leading to reduced quality of life. Some of the drugs prescribed for heart conditions also impair active sexual health. Dr.S.Vasudevan, Addl.Professor, Urology, Medical College Trivandrum added that erectile dysfunction becomes severe with continued use of tobacco products over long periods.

Saikripa, 289, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram 695 038, Kerala || T: 0471-2361026 || E: tobaccofreekerala@gmail.com ||

Initially, it manifests as occasional inability to have an erection. With five or more years of tobacco use, the problem becomes more severe and sometimes turns into a permanent disability. Another study conducted on males undergoing infertility evaluations showed a positive association of tobacco chewing and decrease in sperm quality. The study, published in the prestigious Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, also validated the role of chewing tobacco in deteriorating semen quality. Use of tobacco products might also have an effect on the outcomes of in vitro fertilisation a major infertility treatment, the study pointed out. Further, women who consume gutkha during pregnancy face risks of decreased gestational age at birth and decreased birth weight through foetal growth restriction, preterm delivery and even still-birth. A study published in the reputed medical journal Lancet has revealed that that India has the highest incidence of still-born babies worldwide. It states that on an average, as many as 1,680 babies are born dead every day in the country, every year from 1995 to 2009. Of the 2.6 million still-births worldwide, nearly one-fourth 23.2 per cent is from India. Incidentally, India also has the dubious distinction of being the second highest tobacco user, after China. An estimated 274.9 million Indians consume tobacco, as per the GAT survey. Tobacco Free Kerala, a coalition formed for tobacco control in Kerala, led by Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Trivandrum welcomes the ban on gutkha and pan masala. We are happy that the Government has favourably responded to our request for banning gutkha and pan masala in Kerala, which will definitely go a long way in improving the all-round health of our people, especially our youngsters, said Dr.Paul Sebastian, Vice Chairman, Tobacco Free Kerala and Director, RCC. The Commissioner of Food Safety, Government of Kerala, in an order issued on 22 May 2012, has prohibited the manufacture, storage, sale or distribution of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients, in whatsoever name it is available in the market, in the interest of public health. Ends

Saikripa, 289, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram 695 038, Kerala || T: 0471-2361026 || E: tobaccofreekerala@gmail.com ||