Author Description

Tobacco use is widely recognized as the most important preventable cause of death and disease in the world today. In most countries its use is synonymous with cigarette smoking, but in others tobacco is used more often in other forms as well. In India, tobacco is more commonly used in the form of bidi smoking and botel quid (pan) chewing even more than in cigarettes. The health consequences of cigarette smoking and other forms of tobacco use encompass a wide spectrum of diseases including cancers of the mouth, lung, larynx, pharynx and oesphagus; diseases of the heart, circulatory system and lungs; and if used during pregnancy, adverse effects on the fetus. Even second-hand passive smoking is shown to cause and influence the risks for other diseases. Tobacco control in any country, however, is not simply a health problem. It has major implications for economics, agriculture, law, and individual and social behavior. Therefore, tobacco control must involve a multidimensional, multidisciplinary approach. In this volume, the issue of tobacco control is addressed from many points of view by leading international experts in clinical medicine, public health, biostatistics and behavioral sciences, agriculture, law and policy analysis. The articles provide an in-depth overview on various topics central to the theme of tobacco is used, their adverse health consequences with special empahsis on oral health and cancer, evidence from experimental studies, experiences with tobacco control and intervention programs, and specific legal and policy issues. This book on the control of tobacco-related cancers and other diseases would be a valuable resource for state-of-the-art reviews, original research papers, thought-provoking articles, and its coverage of off-beat topics.