KATHMANDU: Experts today urged the government to formulate necessary laws in order to control the consumption of tobacco products in line with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

Dr Sudip Shrestha, consultant medical oncologist, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, said tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world. It is estimated that by 2030, tobacco will be the leading cause of death and disability in humans.

In Nepal, around 15,000 deaths occur every year due to tobacco consumption, 85 per cent of which due to lung cancer. Every year, 50,000 people contract tobacco-caused cancer. Dr Shrestha estimates that smokers, in general, spend four per cent of their total income on tobacco products.

Addressing an interaction organised by Nepal Cancer Relief Society (NCRS), he said the number of tobacco consumers is decreasing in the developed world whereas the same is increasing in the developing countries. About one billion people are believed to be mokers, of which 650 million eventually die due to the habit.

“Although manufacturing companies claim that their products contain low nicotine, they are not less harmful,” said the medical oncologist. “It is just their business strategy.”

Diwakar Rajkarnikar, former president, NCRS, said Nepal signed the FCTC in 2003 and ratified it in November, 2006.

FCTC maintains that each pack of cigarette must carry health warnings covering not less than 30 per cent of the principal display area.

He said there should be a comprehensive ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship in media. Rajkarnikar argued that tobacco should be kept out of the reach of the minors. He said duty free shops should not be permitted to sell tobacco products.

Lokendra Shrestha, central vice-president, Nepal Cancer Relief Society, criticised the government decision of scraping the one paisa levy per cigarette consumed.

He said it should rather be made 5 paisa per stick, to be used for the welfare of cancer patients.