Interview with Dr Kishore Chaudhry, 
 Deputy Director General,
Social and Preventive Medicine
Indian Council of Medical Research,Ansari Nagar, New Delhi - 110029
Telephone: 91-11-6962895 EXTN. 270
FAX:91-11-6868662
E-Mail - chaudhryk@icmr.delhi.nic.in
Dr Kishore Chaudhry has been associated with antismoking issues for the past two decades.

1. Dr Kishore Chaudhry you have been associated with antismoking issues for 
the past two decades. Can you see any difference in India?

2. Before we go further can you please let us have your own achievements 
and the reasons for selecting this field?
3. You are also a DDG of ICMR. What is ICMR's role?
4. Is there an apex body for antitobacco in our country? Who are its 
memebers? What is the relations with WHO?
5. How is the tobacco lobby countering your activities scientifically as
well as other means?
6. You were the active scientits behind the governemet's measure in 
bringing no smoking areas, bills in the parliament etc.
7. Pan chewing is specific to India. What do you see is the role of pan in 
tobacco related diseases?
8. Tell us something about success stories in other countries.


 

 

ComCom: Dr Kishore Chaudhry you have been associated with antismoking issues for the past two decades. Can you see any difference in India?

Dr. Kishore Chaudhry: Yes there have been a lot of changes in many segments of the society and also among the decision-makers. The change has been in terms of acceptance of tobacco being a major public health problem, and resulting into a lot of mortality and morbidity in the country. Many new research findings have substantiated these aspects. A major landmark in India was the 22nd report 
of the Parliament's Committee on sub-ordinate legislation (Dec. 1995), which reviewed the existing Cigarette Act of 1975. This committee consisting of Members of Parliament, discussed various aspects related to tobacco (both 
control and promotion) with all concerned sectors (Ministries, tobacco producers, manufacturers of tobacco based products, health advocates, etc.). 
The Committee felt that tobacco control is important and recommended actions for all concerned Ministries. The proposed legislation on tobacco control also underwent some changes in view of these recommendations. The provision 
relating to tobacco advertisements was also included in Cable Network Rules. A legislation aimed at tobacco control has been placed before the Parliament. The initiation of the process of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) by World Health Organization also made difference. India has been participating in the meetings of FCTC right from the beginning. Before every meeting, the stance of the Government is prepared by holding inter-ministerial discussions on all the background papers of FCTC meeting. 
Thus, the Indian delegation presents a systematic and unified policy on tobacco with specific focus on Indian interests. Thus, India is following a multisectoral approach for tobacco control, which is absolutely necessary. The media is also more responsive towards the issues related to tobacco 
control. The much desired activities on anti-tobacco education are also expected to be more frequent through various media.


 

 

 

 

 

 

Comcom: Before we go further can you please let us have your own achievements  and the reasons for selecting this field? 

Dr. Kishore Chaudhry: At ICMR, I am connected with research on many noncommunicable diseases, including cancers and tobacco. Realizing the importance of tobacco control, the ICMR conducted operational research projects on anti-tobacco education. I was connected with these projects. These projects were carried out to 
provide the Government information on cost-effective strategies that could be adopted once they initiate nation-wide programmes. A project on cost of management of tobacco related diseases was also carried out. I contributed in these projects in planning, execution, monitoring, evaluation, analysis, report writing, etc. In view of my association with various research activities on tobacco, I have been helping the decision-makers in 
consolidating their thoughts on problems and solutions connected with tobacco control (through participation in various meetings and through discussions). Recent major activities include, contribution in preparation of the report of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Expert Committee on Economics of Tobacco Use (of which I was the Member-Secretary with Prof. K.N. Kabra as the Chairman); representing India in two meetings of Working 
Group on WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; membership of the Directorate General of Health Services' Committee on Health Hazards of Addition of Tobacco in Pan Masala (for which I analysed and prepared the technical material); technical inputs for preparation of tobacco control legislation; development of strategies for tobacco control by the Department of Health; etc. My primary purpose for working in this field has been to 
present unbiased and proper perspective on the subject to the Government of India. This was especially important because of the fact that many biased opinions were being projected in media and to various government departments. As a scientists, research, appropriate analysis of data, review and appropriate interpretation of data has been my strengths and I have been working to the best of my abilities to provide information to the 
decision-makers on magnitude of the problem, its economic impact, the reasons for initiating actions, planning of appropriate strategies, etc.
 



 

ComCom: You are also a DDG of ICMR. What is ICMR's role?

Dr. Kishore Chaudhry: ICMR has realized the need for tobacco control in India for a long time. ICMR collated the information related to tobacco for the first time in early 
1980s. In 1985, a four-centre project on anti-tobacco community education was started to test its feasibility through existing infrastructures (health, schools and community volunteers). It was observed that these 
infrastructures can help if appropriately motivated. The school children not only themselves change but can also bring about a change in their households and neighbourhood. A collaborative project with All India Radio entitled "Radio DATE" was also a pioneering step. The acronym 'DATE' stood for Drugs, Alcohol & Tobacco Education. This was a 30 episode (20 minutes each) serial 
aimed at education on the three aspects and was broadcast all over the country, every week, at prime time, in 16 regional languages, simultaneously from 84 stations of AIR (out of the 104 stations existing at that time). 
Finances for undertaking this project were provided by both the organizations, viz. ICMR and AIR. In view of the importance of economic implications of tobacco and hypothesis of many scientists that tobacco related diseases cost more than the revenue it generates, ICMR initiated a project on estimation of cost of management of three major tobacco related diseases, namely, tobacco related cancers, coronary artery disease (commonly 
known as angina as well as heart attacks) and chronic obstructive lung diseases. These studies indicated that cost posed by these diseases to the society is substantial. In fact extrapolation of this study results to the country for recent time showed that the annual cost to the country is Rs. 27,761 crores. Although no comparison is intended, the annual sale value of all tobacco products (including revenue, export values, profits, etc.) is about Rs. 24,000 crores. ICMR helps in Government in defining the tobacco 
problem and its possible solutions in its right perspectives and in conducting research to supplement tobacco control efforts.



 

 

ComCom: Is there an apex body for antitobacco in our country? Who are its memebers? What is the relations with WHO?

Dr. Kishore Chaudhry: Recently a tobacco control cell has been established at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The cell would facilitate, plan and monitor tobacco control activities in the country. This cell would function with the help of an advisory committee. The WHO has suggested a tobacco control commission for every country, which should be a multisectoral body to initiate tobacco control activities. Although, such a multisectoral body has not been established in the country, the inter-ministerial consultations have often been organized by the Ministery of Health & Family Welfare, to discuss 
various facets of tobacco control. The tobacco control cell of the Ministry of Health is also using funds from WHO's country fund, expenditure on which is incurred after combined review of proposals. This is a routine process 
for use of WHO country funds for all specialties. WHO also communicates the recommendations of World Health Assembly and other important recommendations 
for possible action on all health aspects including tobacco. Such recommendations are considered by the Ministry of Health for necessary action.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ComCom: How is the tobacco lobby countering your activities scientifically as well as other means?

Dr. Kishore Chaudhry: I am not aware of any action of the tobacco lobby which has impeded my scientific programmes.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ComCom: You were the active scientits behind the governemet's measure in bringing no smoking areas, bills in the parliament etc.

Dr. Kishore Chaudhry:I had provided scientific comments on various possible legislative measures at the time of drafting the legislation.



 

 

ComCom: Pan chewing is specific to India. What do you see is the role of pan in tobacco related diseases?

Dr. Kishore Chaudhry:There had been some confusion among some groups that tobacco control programmes may result in loss of jobs for all or some people dependent on tobacco. To the best of my knowledge, no programme is in the offing which could lead to such chaos. The current programmes including the legislation, 
are aimed at demand reduction and look forward for stopping the increase in tobacco consumption. Thereafter, the aim would be to bring about a gradual 
reduction in tobacco use prevalence. In fact existing market forces (business and profit related) seem to be affecting the tobacco-dependant work force more severely, like the current move for a Tobacco Crop Holiday in Andhra Pradesh. It has also been shown that in the year following a bumper tobacco crop, there has been a substantial reduction in area for tobacco crop production. There is no plan to control the use of pan or 
areca-nut. However, the educational programmes should work towards discouraging the addition of tobacco to pan.


 

ComCom: Tell us something about success stories in other countries

Dr. Kishore Chaudhry: Tobacco control is a desirable activity all over the World. During the 1st meeting of the Working Group of the Framework Convention on Tobacco 
Control, all the participating countries felt that tobacco control is a step in the right direction. Similar sentiments have been voiced in various meetings of World Health Assembly. A large number of countries already have 
some form of legislative control in force. Educational programmes in developed countries have shown a reduction in tobacco use. Even in India, the programme Radio DATE resulted in a 4% to 6% reduction in tobacco use. Experience from UK shows that increased taxation (and thus cost of cigarettes) results in a reduction of smoking, especially by the people having smaller quantum of readily available money.


e-mail : chaudhry_k@hotmail.com, chaudhry_k@yahoo.com