India Boozing!!!!!!!!!

Just stumbled upon a few stats in a local magazine stating facts about the drastic increase of smoking and drinking among the youth in India. Thereafter, did some research on the net and the figures are startling. According to one of the surveys: "Every 1 in 10 male deaths and 1 in 40 in India was caused due to smoking in the 90s", the figure has now changed to "Every 1 in 5 male deaths and 1 in 20 female (it is said India is the 3rd largest in terms of female smoking) deaths is caused due to smoking". An annual death toll of 10 lacs is expected to be caused due to smoking alone!!! These numbers may not seem to be big given the overall population and birth rate in India but if not taken care now, it won't be a surprise if it turns out to be a sudden epidemic os sorts (similar to the present day diabetes problem in India). Similar is the case with drinking; alcohol sales have just shot exponentially over the last 2 decades. Now, a major chunk of the Indian population lies in the age group of 18-40, so there are no doubts that the youth of India do think that smoking and drinking is the way to go!!!!

Why do we even need stats or surveys for this? Just have a look around and youngsters can be seen bee-lining at cigarette vendors and alcohol serving pubs, scenes which could not be seen say a decade ago. So what has lead to this sudden change in the attitude of the Indian youth? Some say it is the high pressure of studies and jobs in this era of global competition where they need to stay alert 24*7, where you need smoke and drinks just to see that you are not overstrained in this competitive sprint; some try it just to hide or overshadow momentary fears, humiliations or inferiority complexes, not knowing when they get deep into it; some do it for the sake of adventure, emitating their favourite stars on TV and movie screens whereas some just do it just out of peer pressure, not wanting to be left out of the group!!!! Whatever may be the reason, the young do not consider this to be a taboo at all these days. An 'occasional' or 'social' note in the smoking/drink section on social networking sites is a common place. In certain cases, even parents have started believing that there's no harm in this!! Who is to be blamed for this? Well that calls for another debate in itself, but at this point the fact cannot be denied that for young India--"Smoking and drinking is the way to live!!!!!"