CONTENTS
- World No-Tobacco Day
- Draft Resolution Approved to Improve Organ Transplantation Availability
World No-Tobacco Day
Context:
Recently, The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (GoI), organized an event today to observe World No Tobacco Day 2024.
Relevance:
GS II: Health
Dimensions of the Article:
- World No-Tobacco Day
- Tobacco Cultivation in India
World No-Tobacco Day:
Creation and Purpose:
- World No Tobacco Day was established by the Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987.
- A resolution passed in 1988 set the annual observance on May 31st.
- The day aims to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke, and to discourage tobacco consumption in any form.
- The theme for the year is “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference.”
Tobacco Cultivation in India:
Introduction and History:
- Tobacco cultivation in India was introduced by the Portuguese in 1605.
Area and Production:
- Major tobacco-growing states in India include Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
- Gujarat contributes 45% of the total area (0.13 million hectares) and 30% of production (0.16 million tonnes). It also boasts the highest productivity, yielding 1700 kg per hectare, followed by Andhra Pradesh.
Types of Tobacco:
- Gujarat: Anand area grows mainly bidi tobacco.
- Karnataka: Nipani area is known for bidi tobacco.
- North Bihar and Bengal: Both tabacum and rustica types, used for hookah and limited chewing and snuff varieties.
- Tamil Nadu: Madurai and Coimbatore regions cultivate cigars, filter, binder, and chewing tobacco.
Climate and Soil:
- Optimal growth occurs at mean temperatures between 20°C and 27°C.
- As a rainfed crop, tobacco needs at least 500 mm of well-distributed rainfall during the growing season.
- It is not typically grown in regions where rainfall exceeds 1200 mm during the season.
Draft Resolution Approved to Improve Organ Transplantation Availability
Context:
At the 77th World Health Assembly, member states approved a draft resolution aimed at improving the availability of organ transplantation, including human cells and tissues.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Increasing Availability and Ethical Access to Transplantation:
Recent Developments:
- Member States, led by Spain, approved a resolution to enhance the availability, ethical access, and oversight of human cell, tissue, and organ transplantation.
About the Draft Resolution:
- Member states are encouraged to align with WHO’s Guiding Principles on Human Cell, Tissue, and Organ Transplantation.
- Emphasis is placed on promoting donation following neurological or circulatory determination of death.
- The resolution highlights that insufficient access to transplantation fuels human trafficking for organ removal and poses public health risks.
- It calls for the establishment of an expert committee to help develop and implement a global strategy.
- The draft resolution also proposes a global strategy for adoption by 2026 and suggests creating a World Donor Day to raise awareness and donations.
World Health Assembly (WHA):
- The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of the WHO.
- It includes delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board.
- Main functions include determining WHO policies, appointing the Director-General, overseeing financial policies, and approving the programme budget.
- The Assembly meets annually in Geneva, Switzerland.
