Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) Report of Himachal Pradesh

Question- Recently, the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) Report of Himachal Pradesh was released. In relation to this report, what is not true in the given options?
(a) This report was made on 31st May 2018 released by BK Agarwal, Additional Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh.
(b) The second phase of the survey by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was done by April, 2018.
(c) This survey was done in 30 different states of the country.
(d) In Himachal Pradesh, there was a shortfall of about 24 percent in the consumption of tobacco during this period.
Answer- (b)
Related Facts:

  • On May 31st, 2018, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) B.K Agarwal released the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) Report of Himachal Pradesh. GATS is a systematic way of monitoring the use of tobacco among adults and to detect the main component to control the use of tobacco.
  • The first phase of GATS survey was conducted in the year 2009 -10, under the supervision of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, while its second phase lasted till the end of 2017.
  • This survey has been conducted in 30 different states of the country and Himachal has achieved remarkable achievement and been ranked 6th highest decline in tobacco use, which has been reduced by about 24 percent.
  • Complete control over tobacco is a daunting task, as it is one of the most heavily used addictive product. It can be reduce use with substantial efforts.
  • Shimla was declared the First Tobacco Free City in the country and soon after entire Himachal has been declared tobacco free.
  • In order to spread awareness Department of Health, Police, Non Government Organizations, Panchayati Raj Institutions and the media are continuously working very hard.
  • Amount of Rs 1.50 crore was collected through challans of 1.30 lakh people and this amount will be spent on Tobacco Control Programs in the state.
  • The aim of State Government is to make the H. P Secretariat and University campus completely tobacco free, so that the other institutions of the state can follow them too.
  • Dr. Alok Ranjan, who came from Mumbai’s Tata Institution of Social Sciences, gave a detailed presentation on GATS report.
  • 16 percent of people in Himachal Pradesh are consuming tobacco whereas this is 28.6 percent in the country.
  • Lot of people are consuming bidi and around 70 lakh people die every year from tobacco worldwide.
  • Tobacco damages every organ of our body. Smokeless tobacco keeps the risk of lung cancer, while the consumption of other products leads to throat cancer.
  • Goal is to bring down the number of people consuming tobacco below 10 percent. He said that the media has been a major contributor to attain this achievement in the state.

Reference:
http://himachalpr.gov.in/OnePressRelease.aspx?Language=1&ID=12256
https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/tobacco-use-has-declined-by-about-24-pc-in-himachal-officials-118060100025_1.html