‘Not only gutka, paan masala cancerous too’

Mumbai: The humble areca nut has a killer edge. It can, for instance, cause oral cancer. 

    After the state recently decided to ban manufacture and sale of gutka and paan masala, their manufacturers petitioned 
the Bombay HC on the "unfairness" of equating their products with food. 
    Health experts contend that while gutka with its tobacco content is easy to recognize as a health hazard, there is little awareness about paan masala'scontents. "Many don't seem to realize that paan masala contains areca nut," said Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, cancer surgeon from Tata Memorial Hospital. 
    "The large number of oral cancer cases in India is attributed to widespread usage of tobacco. However, a lesser known reason is the rampant areca nut chewing," he added. 
    The latest edition of Contemporary Clinical Dentistry journal gives an indication of the rampant use of areca nut and its scented products among the most vulnerable section-—children. The study showed that almost 27.06% of the almost 4,000 schoolchildren surveyed in Indore had areca nut chewing habit. 
    The WHO and International Agency for Research on Cancer have classified areca nut as agroup 1 human carcinogens. 
    FDA chief M Zagade said betel nut consumption has ballooned ever since it was available in pouches as paan masala. 
Give It Up And Gain 

•It will increase lifespan by 6 to 8 years; reduce chances of mouth cancer and submucous fibrosis 

•Withdrawal symptoms fade away in 3-4 days. Drink plenty of water, engage in recreational activities 

•Do not rush for nicotine or other tobacco products for replacement