Anti-Tobacco Walkathon Held In Guwahati

GUWAHATI: Over 700 citizens took part in a walkathon in Guwahati this morning with the slogan – make Guwahati a tobacco-free city. The Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum, Assam and Consumer VOICE, New Delhi in association with Pathik organized this walkathon. The walkathon started from Hiteswar Saikia College (City College), Sixmile to Ganesh Mandir Indoor Stadium, Khanapara via Veterinary College U-tern, covering a distance of five km.

According to Global Adults Tobacco Survey, in Assam 25.3% of men, 0.8% of women and 13.3% of all adults currently smoke tobacco. 50.5% of men and 32.5% of women and 41.7% of all adults currently use smokeless tobacco. The mean age at initiation of tobacco use has increased from 18.1 per cent to 18.5 per cent. When tobacco use in the country decreased from 34.6 per to 28.6 per cent, in Assam it increased from 39.3 per cent to 48.2 per cent, a press release said.

The walkathon was started at 7 am with the flag off by Assam police CID ADGP Dr. L.R. Bishnoi. Debeswar Malakar, Commissioner, Guwahati Municipal Corporation; Dr. Amal Chandra Kataki, Director, Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Dr. Arundhuti Deka and others took part in the programme.

Also Read: GUWAHATI CITY