Gutka Or Smokeless Tobacco: A Pinch Of Poison

Written by Dr. Roshan Jain (MBBS JJMMC Karnataka, MRCP Psychiatry UK, MMedSc Univ of Nottingham, UK), one of the best psychiatrists in Bangalore.

A lot of Indians are addicted to various forms of nicotine (one of the most habit-forming substances known to man).  Some smoke, others sniff or chew it. Many live under the myth that chewing gutka or smokeless tobacco is less harmful than smoking. Most are not aware that gutka is ‘a pinch of poison’ and an ingredient for severe ailments and slow death. Specialists especially oncologists say consumption of gutka is more harmful than any other form of tobacco.

What is Gutka?

Gutka is a smokeless tobacco that is consumed by placing it between the gum and cheeks and gently chewing it. In India, it’s a familiar sight to come across people who chew tobacco and spit out the red-colored juice. While this juice is desecrating our walls, monuments, and streets across the country, gutka is sucking the lives out of people.

Gutka is also known as mawa or Colorful. It is a combination of crushed areca nut, slaked lime, paraffin, and catechu, sweet or savory flavorings along with tobacco.  This mixture, which is promoted and sold as a mouth freshener, has about 4,000 chemicals of which at least 40 are carcinogenic (potential to cause cancer) compounds.

The consumption of chewing tobacco is not restricted to rural India. Colorful packaging, stylized advertising (both direct and surrogate) and endorsements by mainstream cinema stars including one from Hollywood (!) have pushed many towards it. And these include college students to well-educated office-going youth and adults.

Health Hazards of Smokeless Tobacco – How to Quit Gutkha

Smokeless tobacco is more hazardous than smoking because the chewed mixture directly enters the system through the oral cavity. Smoking results in 20 percent of the harmful chemicals reaching the lungs while 80 percent is exhaled.

Cancerous chemicals cause a non-healing ulcer in the mouth and oral cavity as well as food pipe and voice box. Some element in the betel nut causes the hardening of the fissure in the mouth. When untreated can lead to cancer of the mouth or oral cavity.

According to the Global Burden of Disease Study (2010) and Global Adult Tobacco Survey, in 2010 alone smokeless tobacco resulted in more than 62,000 deaths due to cancers of the mouth and food pipe and accounted for more than 200,000 deaths from heart disease.

According to a BBC report, India is the oral cancer capital of the world. Data suggests India continues to have the highest prevalence of oral cancers globally with 75,000 to 80,000 new cases of such cancers reported every year. Chewing tobacco is the biggest cause of this type of cancer since more Indians chew tobacco than smoke it.

Also, it leads to other conditions like hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.  Consumption of gutka during pregnancy can result in low birth weight babies. Other effects include loss of appetite, unusual sleep patterns, and loss of concentration.

Despite the astounding public health impacts caused by this deadly product and a Supreme Court directive (2016) to completely stop the sale of gutka, companies still sell pan masala and tobacco in separate pouches to circumvent the gutkha ban. The crackdown has been unsuccessful, and some state like Maharashtra has also revoked the gutka ban this year!

The Solution

A complete ban on gutka and its allied product like pan masala is the only way to curb this deadly habit. Until the government and legal authorities become unified and mindful of this significant health problem; it is imperative to think before you chew (your life away).

No addict wants to live the life of an addict. Nicotine dependency is a difficult habit to overcome, but with help, it’s possible for a fresh start.

Practical Tips To Initiate Change – How to Quit Gutkha

  1. Write down the reasons: Quitting tobacco can be tricky, and during pressing times it is likely that one will forget or ignore the reason they initiated change. So, jot down the reason for quitting including the ill effects of tobacco on your teeth, breath, mouth, and health. Remember, you won’t have to repeatedly excuse yourself from a social gathering to chew tobacco or spit the accumulated red paste! Do write about the positive impact on health and pocket (financially), and how good it would be the lead the change in your group of smokers/tobacco chewers.
  2. To cut down or quit at once: For some reducing the amount of gutka per day may be a way to test their commitment and motivation for change. But for most others, it’s best to stop altogether alongside professional help and a nicotine substitute treatment plan. Quitting at once can bring discomforting nicotine withdrawals that will ease with nicotine substitutes like nicotine chewing gum or patches, but will also convey feelings of wellbeing and renewed confidence.
  3. The process:
  4. Write a gutka diary to identify patterns of chewing. If you are planning to reduce intake, then try and cut down on non-essential chewing first before venturing into critical ones (for example after meals).
  5. Choose a day to quit and go for a ceremonial burial /clearance of gutka packets and all their paraphernalia.
  6. Making a formal announcement of your intentions to friends and family will desirably force you to stick to it.
  7. Designate an anchor (ideally spouse or partner) to encourage, support, and push you to achieve your aims.
  8. Delay and distract your urges to chew with juices, healthy snacks, mint, etc. Smoker and gutka chewers often have difficulties in discerning the urge to smoke from hunger. So, consuming a small meal/snack can remedy those rising craves.
  9. Keep away from people who are into tobacco continuously. Avoid the company of the gutka gang at least in the initial days. Once you have better control over the urges, then you may attempt exposing yourself to higher-risk situations for further desensitization.
  10. Celebrate your quit day, weekly and monthly, with a reward/gift from the money you have saved. Announce your success so far, in person and on social media for positive re-enforcement.
  11. Don’t worry about slips ups, instead focus on achievements. So, fight ‘one craving at a time’ and work on ‘one day at a time. Build on successes of the previous day and learn from lack of it. The craving will become less intense over time if left unattended.
  12. Take up exercise to reap the benefit of improved health and appetite.
  13. Importantly, consider nicotine substitutes like chewing gum or 24-hour Nicotine patches. Be informed that these substitutes are gradually reduced over time and stopped, so ideally taken under professional guidance and support from a de-addiction specialist. You do not want to substitute one habit for another. Research suggests that the majority who try to quit without specialist advice and replacement therapy, relapse soon afterward.
  14. Finally, you can use medication to reduce craving and associated anxiety. These require a formal script from a practicing physician or a psychiatrist.

Final Points To Note

Quitting tobacco may be the best decision of your life. If you don’t succeed at first, then revisit, review and rework the plan. Importantly, try again and do something different each time including professional support. Remember, lack of success and relapse to chewing can never be the end of the road. Instead, you must see it as a sign of progress towards better health.  Never give up or quit on quitting!

About the Author

Dr. Roshan Jain is one of the best psychiatrists in India. He is a UK-qualified specialist with extensive experience in psychiatry, addictions, psychotherapy, teaching, and motivational work. Based in Bangalore (India), he offers person-centered mental health evaluation and interventions. He has worked tirelessly in reducing the stigma associated with mental health problems through speaking events and mental health awareness education, workshops & publication.

DocGenie is an online telemedicine platform that provides you quality healthcare from the best doctors in the comfort of your own space. On DocGenie, you will find a select few, highly-qualified doctors, unlike other online platforms with thousands of doctors. So you can be assured of receiving excellent, honest, personalized care from the best professionals.