Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 2: Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat has called for a State-wide sustained campaign against the use of tobacco and its allied products with the active involvement of various stakeholders including, social, religious organizations, educational institutions and allied bodies which have great influence on public.
He said numerous precious lives are being lost every year with the diseases related to the use of different forms of tobacco and its allied products and need of the hour was to take a serious call to discourage this practice in the society.
Speaking at a function which was jointly organized by the Jammu Chapter of Indian Dental Association (IDA), Jammu Centre of Art of Living and Indira Gandhi Government Dental College (IGGDC) in connection with the observance of ‘World No Tobacco Day’, the Minister said that drug addiction, including use of cigarette and allied products of tobacco are causing great harm to the society, especially the younger generation and collective efforts are needed to curb this practice.
Elaborating that more than 27 percent population of Jammu and Kashmir, majority of youth are consumers of tobacco in different forms and several precious lives are being lost due to diseases related to its use every year thus rendering their families at the mercy of others. He called upon the Directorate of Health Services and credible NGOs to chalk-out a well-knit strategy to educate the masses through awareness programmes across the State about the ill effects of tobacco on the human health.
Lauding the efforts of Indian Dental Association and other social organizations for their valuable initiative to organize a mega awareness campaign during the World No Tobacco Day week, the Minister asked them to continue their efforts in the social cause to discourage the use of tobacco.
On the occasion, the Minister distributed prizes among the students who excelled in different activities through their writings, skits and lectures highlighting the ill effects of tobacco on human health during the campaign. He also honored the doctors and other participants of the campaign for their dedicated efforts towards the social cause.
President, IDA, Dr Ritesh Gupta gave detailed account of the activities which were carried out to mark the World No Tobacco Day.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included, Principal, IGGDC, Dr. Romesh Singh, Principal, GMC, Dr. Sunanda Raina, Director School Education, Jammu, Ravinder Singh, Addl. DC, Jammu, Anuradha Gupta, Medical Superintendents of all the Associated Hospitals, educationists and members of various social organizations.
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