Usually, I don’t do such articles. But today as I was going through some research papers  I stumbled upon this review on the harmful effects of Pan Masala by Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. The study clearly mentions that Pan Masala is one of the leading causes of oral cancer especially in India where it is consumed by almost every section of the society.

The moment I even think of the word Pan Masala I can picture Ajay Devgan holding a box of Vimal Pan Masala. He has literally become synonymous with the tagline “Jubaan Kesari”.

Creating awareness about such poisons running through even small shops at every half a km is the responsibility of every Indian.

You enter a movie theatre and you see people like Rahul Dravid on the screen telling you how pan masala, gutkha, and smoking kills you.

Why is it then that stars like Ajay Devgan don’t give a second thought before selling you death? Being celebrities they enjoy a whole lot of fan following and a sense of control over people which they can easily utilise for the betterment of the society.

But they opt for money over their conscience. Would Ajay Devgan hand over Pan Masala to his own friends and family?

What Does the Study Say?

According to the study, “ Pan Masala is a mixture of areca nut with slaked lime, catechu and other flavouring agents. It is a very harmful substance affecting almost all organ systems, and there is an immediate need for a national policy on a complete ban on the production, storage, sale, and marketing of Pan Masala.”

The first ingredient is betel nut or popularly called areca nut is the fourth most addictive substance in the world and is the leading cause of oral cancer. All this while we have been concerned about tobacco. “Tobacco causes cancer, so let's just sell tobacco-free Pan Masala!!”. What an Idea Sirji !!

But look how smartly the marketing industry has fooled us with the help of such celebrities. They are making sure that not just we eat such crap by promoting it as something fashionable and a status symbol but they make sure people stay addicted to it so they don’t lose out on their business. Thousands of you or your relatives and friends may lose their life but how does that concern any of those manufacturing or promoting these carriers of death.

Also Read: Top 15 reasons to legalise marijuana and ban tobacco.

How Pan Masala Selling Companies Are Using Loopholes In The Law

In 2003 the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control was adopted by 56th World Health Assembly. The Treaty aims at “protecting present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke”. India too banned such advertisements in 2004.

But nothing has changed since then companies like Pan Parag and Vimal Pan Masala still sell products which are equally harmful like tobacco in the name of tobacco-free plain Pan Masala and simultaneously promote their brand which is selling tobacco products too.

Have a look at another such review article which states that “The advertisements of plain pan masala seen on Indian television are a surrogate for the tobacco products bearing the same name.”

What Harmful Effects Of Pan Masala Does The Study Suggest?

Pan Masala has Mutagenic and Genotoxic effect:

To put it simply the ingredients in Pan Masala changes the genetic information present in our cells which is called mutation and this leads to cancer. Pan Masala can change your DNA and these permanent, heritable changes affect either somatic cells or germ cells (reproductive cells) and the effects are passed on to even the future generations.

It Is Carcinogenic

Areca nut, Catechu, and slaked lime all have carcinogenic potential. In layman terms, Pan Masala or any carcinogenic substance can convert your normal cells to cancer cells. Pan Masala causes Chromosomal Aberration (CA) or changes the structure of chromosomes. As you increase the number of pouches consume per day CA increases and the chances of developing cancer doubles!! Not just oral cancer but any other cancer too !!!

Harmful For Men

Pan Masala causes testicular cysts, increases structural abnormalities in sperms and decreases the weight of testis. Kidneys are also affected showing inflammatory reaction and cysts.

Harmful For Women Too !!

Pan Masala can cause cysts in ovaries, reduce gestation period during pregnancy, cause newborn’s death, reduce the newborn’s weight, etc.

It Is No Less Than Addictive Drugs

A study conducted at a de-addiction centre in Chennai showed that most of the Pan Masala users had similar behaviour to that of drug addicts, comprising of tolerance that developed in 2–3 months, craving and substance seeking behaviour.

Within 2–3 hours of abstention, the subjects developed withdrawal symptoms comprised of anxiety, restlessness, tremors, loss of appetite, body pains, insomnia, breathlessness, vomiting, and intense craving.

Few withdrawal symptoms even mimicked opium withdrawal.

Also Read: The scam behind zero-calorie and low-calorie products.

Money Over Ethics

The Delhi Government has time and again warned and issued show cause notices to Various stars. Read this India today excerpt :

Even when the Indian Government itself makes it mandatory to issue a warning on every packet of any carcinogenic product and to display ads making us aware of the side-effects of such products before every movie. Then how can such a huge celebrity and most importantly an Indian go on about promoting these poisons openly and without any regret despite getting show cause notices from the same government?

So, let’s be real “ Money is important to everyone !!”. But somewhere or the other we all need to draw a line. On the one hand, we have celebrities like Virat Kohli who won’t do a Coca Cola ad or Kangana who doesn't promote a fairness cream and on the other hand, we have celebs like Ajay Devgan who are not concerned about anyone’s life as long as it fills their pocket.

The irony is all three of them are making good money. So, there are definitely other better ways to earn. What’s the difference between a celebrity or an influencer and a conman who fools you for his own profit !!

Sorry, if you are an Ajay Devgan fan and this article has offended you in any way but it is high time that celebrities need to understand the responsibilities they have towards society and stop promoting anything and everything just for money!!