Does Chiya Culture Promote Smoking ?

Kathmandu Valley is witnessing a growing trend that raises both cultural and health concerns. Tea, or "chiya," has always been an integral part of our daily lives. However, the increasing number of chiya shops on every street has not only changed our social habits but has also contributed to the normalisation of smoking among youths.

The concept of "chiya churot", a cup of tea accompanied by a cigarette, has become a social norm, particularly among teenagers and young adults. These aesthetically designed tea shops serve as social hubs where people unwind after work, school, or college, sharing their thoughts over a cup of tea. While this cultural evolution may seem harmless at first, it is alarming to see how the practice of tea drinking is inadvertently promoting smoking habits among young minds. The perception that sipping tea without lighting a cigarette is incomplete has led to an increasing number of young smokers.

From a business perspective, these tea shops require minimal investment and are a lucrative venture, strategically located near educational institutions and office areas. While they provide employment opportunities and a profitable business model, they also raise concerns about their impact on youth behaviour. Despite the provisions of the Tobacco Products Act 2011, which prohibit tobacco sales within a 100-meter radius of schools and colleges, enforcement remains weak. Moreover, Kathmandu Metropolitan City has recently banned plastic-packaged tobacco products, but the influence of cigarette smoking in chiya shops continues to rise. Behind the comforting aroma of tea lies an unsettling reality: Are chiya shops unknowingly promoting smoking?

It is high time that authorities take stricter measures to regulate smoking in these spaces and ensure that our youth are not lured into harmful habits under the guise of a simple social gathering. Public awareness campaigns, strict enforcement of existing tobacco laws, and alternative social spaces for young people must be encouraged.

Smoking among youths in the Kathmandu Valley is a pressing public health issue, with numerous studies shedding light on its prevalence and contributing factors. According to a study focusing on undergraduate public health students in the Valley, 16.8 per cent were current cigarette smokers, while 39.9 per cent had smoked at least once. The study further found that 62.2 per cent initiated smoking during adolescence, highlighting the importance of early intervention.

A research conducted among high school students in Kathmandu revealed that 31.7 per cent had ever used tobacco products. There was a notable gender disparity, with 23.3 per cent of boys and only 8.5 per cent of girls having been reported to tobacco use. In a broader study across Nepal, it was found that 9.4 per cent of schoolchildren used tobacco, which is notably higher than neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka (9.1 per cent) and Bangladesh (6.9 per cent).

Tea drinking is a beautiful tradition that fosters social bonds, but we must ask ourselves: Has it become a gateway to smoking for our younger generation? I urge the concerned authorities, business owners, and the community to reflect on this growing issue and take appropriate steps to safeguard the health and well-being of our youth.