Hyderabad: Too much loose tobacco is easily available in the market. It is there in the form of flavouring, gul, mishri, zarda, maras and naswar and other varieties. Tobacco is also mixed with betel quid which includes areca nut, slaked lime and tobacco with spices. Mawa is also a combination which is easily available in paan shops.

These combinations have 3,095 chemical components and 28 of them are proven to be carcinogenic. The most commonly found carcinogen is tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines which is found to cause major irritation in the throat.

Dr Manish Kumar, ear nose and throat surgeon at ENT Hospital, Koti, said, “We get several cases of sub-mucous fibrosis, mouth ulcers, patches in the oral cavity, which are caused due to tobacco consumption.

Most of cases are in the pre-cancerous stage and the patient has to come every year for a follow-up. Once addicted, it is very difficult to kick the habit. Hence, it is very important to educate people and ensure that youngsters do not take it up.”

Psychologist Prashanth said, “De-addiction is possible for those who have strong will power. The urge is maddening and many addicts get cranky, irritable, pick up fights or are simply violent when they are not able to consume it.”