Asians ‘face health risk from chewing tobacco’

by NADEEM BADSHAH

MORE awareness is needed about the cancer risks from chewing paan among south Asians in the UK, experts have said.

The chewing tobacco is often eaten after meals and on special occasions, such as Diwali. The stimulant, known as gutkha, can cause mouth and throat cancer, trem­ors and mental health problems.

TV chef Gordon Ramsay chewed addic­tive betel nut in a market in Laos while filming his new series for the National Geographic channel. The father­-of-­five, 52, said the experience was “a little bit bizarre”.

Experts say it is the equivalent to drink­ing six cups of coffee.

Gurch Randhawa is professor of diversi­ty in public health at the University of Bed­fordshire. His team is currently researching the awareness levels among south Asians.

He told Eastern Eye: “Our research at the institute for health research shows the need to increase awareness of cancer risk factors among south Asian communities.

“For example, the public are not aware that tobacco that you don’t smoke, for ex­ample chewing tobacco in paan, can still cause cancer and can become addictive.

“Mouth cancer and oesophageal [throat] cancer can be caused by continuous use of

chewing tobacco in paan.”

Research published in the British Journal of Cancer in 2004 found that “the cus­tom of chewing paan is so widespread among the Bangladeshi community in Brit­ain that the incidence of oral cancer within this group appears to be on the increase”.

Professor Mahendra Patel, a senior member of the South Asian Health Foun­dation, said the risks include oral cancers, high blood pressure, skin problems and heart and circulatory issues from mixing tobacco with masalas and pastes.

He told Eastern Eye: “Awareness is no­where near the levels we want around chewing tobacco and paan.

“How can we get people to change their behaviour within their social circle, work not just with individuals but local communities, religious centres and faith schools?

“Education is needed early to give the message so they have a much better chance. Children can go home and share that information with parents, grandpar­ents and their extended family.

“We need to target different age groups, men and women.

“Local community pharmacies can also deliver that message widely. I have seen people in their late 20s and 30s get mouth cancer from chewing tobacco.”

Patel added: “There is a high record in the Bangladeshi and other Asian commu­nities of chewing and consumption of tobacco. They become addictive and can have an effect on your mental health.”

Earlier this year, police in Leicestershire launched a campaign to warn people to not spit out paan on the street. Posters were distributed to remind people that the activ­ity results in a fine of up to £150.

Officers warned it was a health risk to spit out the substance as a number of infec­tious diseases can be carried in saliva.

The Cancer Research UK charity said for smokeless tobacco “users can take in simi­lar, if not higher, levels of cancer­-causing tobacco-­specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) than cigarette smokers.”

‘“Betel quid’ or ‘paan’ is a mixture of betel nut (or areca nut), slaked lime, herbs and spices, wrapped in betel leaf and is most popular in south Asian communities.

“Betel nut itself can cause cancer, so chewing betel quids can cause mouth can­cer, even if no tobacco is added.”