ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN HEALTH COMMUNICATION: A STUDY ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE USES OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AMONG YOUTH IN ASSAM

Abstract

The aim of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to change the world, end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice, and prosperity (WHO). A clean environment is essential for human health and well-being. Because health is wealth. A person is considered a good and healthy person when they are physically and mentally fit. The tobacco epidemic is a serious and largest global public health issue in the 21st century. According to the World Health Organization (2008), a report on the global tobacco epidemic states that there are currently 1.3 billion tobacco users worldwide, with a yearly death rate of 5.4 million among children. The number of deaths related to tobacco use is expected to increase from 6.4 million to 8.1 million in 2015 and that is how it will be around 8.3 million by 2030. India is the second-largest consumer of tobacco products in the world. However, in India, tobacco use is estimated to cause 800,000 deaths annually. A study (WHO, 2014) revealed that deaths from cancer cases in India are projected to rise to 13.1 million by the year 2030. Thus, the researcher will try to find out the mass media awareness of tobacco products and how health communication helps in nation building.