Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 31: On the eve of World No-Tobacco Day, doctors and other experts today called for the strict implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) in the Valley.
Across the events organized on the day, doctors and those working towards tobacco control emphasized the need to educate people about the hazards of tobacco products, while highlighting the grave effects of passive smoking on children.
In this regard, an event was held by the Department of Community Medicine, GMC Srinagar, in collaboration with Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Hazratbal, under the theme ‘Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference.’
A similar program was organized by DHSK’s NTCP cell at Tagore Hall, attended by the Director of Health Services, Kashmir, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, along with others.
Fayaz Ahmad Fayaz, Principal of Government Boys Higher Secondary School, inaugurated the event at Hazratbal, which comprised an array of activities, including a lecture series by resource personnel from the Department of Community Medicine, Dr. Ayman Nisar and Dr. Darakshan.
Essay writing and poster competitions were also organized, witnessing proactive and enthusiastic participation from the students of the school and its affiliated institutions.
Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan, Professor and HOD of Community Medicine at GMC Srinagar, highlighted the need to educate people about the hazards of cigarettes and other tobacco products, which cause numerous diseases “and also make them liable to other addictions, as is evident from substance abusers.”
He stressed that COTPA needs stringent implementation and called for heavy taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products. “The hoardings put up by cigarette and tobacco companies on shops and other commercial places need to be removed, despite the fact that they don’t advertise the products openly,” he added.
The students also presented a vibrant and engaging skit highlighting the hazards posed by tobacco use, and the winners of the poster and essay writing competitions were felicitated on the occasion.
The program was organized and coordinated by Dr. Sameena Yousuf and Dr. Rifat Jan, lecturers from the Department of Community Medicine, GMC Srinagar.
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