Tobacco Industry Exposed : Industry tactics targeting Young People and Food Industry is no exception
I also guarantee that every consumer is aware of the harm caused from tobacco but in reality they have been trapped under calculated industry tactics and socio-economic pressures.
Subhiksha Shankarraman*
After several discussions with Mr. Suneel Vatsyayan, who is a social worker, dedicated to NCDs prevention and rehabilitation of people living with dependence on tobacco ,alcohol and other addictive behaviour , I now wonder whether a person (especially the youth) addicted to tobacco or alcohol go through a similar situation. In 2019, Mr. Vatsyayan was awarded the Rex Karmaveer Award and he is known for his ground-breaking work in the field of peer education, barrier free services, counselling and youth engagement for tobacco control. From being in numerous conversations with him and despite being a non-consumer of either tobacco or alcohol, I am able to understand how a consumer’s behaviour can be manipulated and trapped in a certain way.
Tobacco is one such expensive commodity that affects youth and people living with tobacco use. They now make up a considerable size of the population of India representing the present generation contributing to extensive growth. I also guarantee that every consumer is aware of the harm caused from tobacco but in reality they have been trapped under calculated industry tactics and socio-economic pressures.
Mr. Vatsyayan again described to me an analogy of a daring lion who also gets trapped by the hunter in spite of all its strength and wisdom, similar to a youth who gets trapped by the industries. They influence young people’s choices, ensuring they are not fully informed in this market driven society. This analogy has changed my narrative on the industry’s tactics and how they continue to blame the young people for their behaviour rather than owning responsibility. This changed narrative empowered me and I was filled with a bout of energy to move further with the work of Nada Young India Network for Good Health
*Nada Good Health Champion
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