Kharra, Smoking Fuel Oral, Lung Cancer Surge In City

Nagpur: Oncologists and chest physicians warned that Nagpur and wider Vidarbha region are witnessing a worrying rise in oral and lung cancers, driven by twin threats of kharra consumption and smoking, ahead of World No Tobacco Day, which is observed on May 31.Oncologist Dr Saurabh Prasad said oral and lung cancers now account for nearly 35% of all cancer cases reported in the city. He noted an increasing number of patients among young adults and women, indicating tobacco-related diseases are no longer confined to traditional high-risk groups. While oral and lung cancers account for only about 7% of cancers in many Western countries, burden is significantly higher in Vidarbha because of widespread tobacco use, particularly blended chewing tobacco or kharra. World No Tobacco Day aims to raise awareness about harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine products. World Health Organization's 2026 theme, "Unmasking the Appeal – Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction," focuses on industry's efforts to attract children, adolescents via flavoured products, attractive packaging and misleading marketing. Highlighting the dangers of smoking, Dr Sushant Meshram, professor and head of pulmonary medicine at Govt Medical College and Hospital, said tobacco remains one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including dozens of known carcinogens, which damage lung tissue, reduce lung function and significantly increase risk of lung cancer. He added that second-hand smoke also places family members and co-workers at risk. Smoking further weakens lungs' natural defence mechanisms, making people more vulnerable to tuberculosis. Dr Rajesh Swarnakar, president of Vidarbha Chest Association, said the consequences of tobacco addiction are seen daily in hospitals through blackened lungs, chronic respiratory diseases and cancers detected at advanced stages. "The tragedy is that most of these deaths are preventable," he said, noting that India continues to bear a disproportionately high burden of tobacco-related illnesses.