Awareness programme organized on ill effects of tobacco use

DIBRUGARH: On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, an awareness programme was organized by the District Tobacco Control Cell at the premises of the Urban State Dispensary in Dibrugarh on Wednesday.

The programme was attended by ADC (health) Sanghamitra Boruah, SDMO Dr Nabajyoti Gogoi, DSP Headquarter Tarun Kumar Medhi, Nodal officer Dr Saurav Gogoi along with representatives of various schools and colleges. There were participants from NGOs, ART centre and staff from the tuberculosis department.

It involved a detailed discussion on ill effects of tobacco and scope of alternative crops cultivation among farmers. Tobacco free educational institution (TOFEI) certificates were awarded to 20 schools and one college; also certificates for children of Graham Bazar Girls’ High School who had participated in art competition on this occasion were also distributed.

A rally was organized which was flagged off by Joint Director of Health Services Dr Trishna Borah. Similarly, Pratishruti Cancer and Palliative Trust and AONEI (Association of Oncologist of North East India), supported by NSS cell of Dibrugarh University and the District Tobacco Control Cell and various other organizations, organized a walkathon in Dibrugarh.

Dibrugarh Deputy Commissioner Biswajit Pegu flagged off the walkathon at Chowkidinghee field on Wednesday and said that the united effort would definitely make an impact, especially among youths who are vulnerable to tobacco addiction.

“Consumption of tobacco is the topmost risk factor for almost all health ailments -from heart diseases to cancer. Smoking is the cause of 90% of lung cancer and tobacco is the single topmost cause of mouth and head neck cancer in 90% cases. Our objective is to educate the public about the health risks associated with tobacco use, including smoking and smokeless tobacco products, to highlight the importance of quitting tobacco,” said Dr Gayatri Gogoi, Honorary, Program Director, Pratishruti Cancer and Palliative Trust.

SIVASAGAR: With an aim to raise awareness on the hazardous health effects of tobacco use, the NSS Unit of Gargaon College, in collaboration with Eco Club, 11 Assam Girls (1) COY NCC, IQAC of the College, organized an awareness programme on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day at Gargaon High School on Wednesday.

In the awareness programme, Dr Rimjim Borah, Programme Officer of NSS Unit, Gargaon College outlined the significance of the observance of the day. She explained the effect of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies and fight against the use of tobacco. Dr Borah further enumerated the role of the youths to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.

Dr Sabyasachi Mahanta, renowned academician and Principal of Gargaon College, appreciated the efforts of the organizers for organizing such an awareness programme to sensitize the students on the health risks associated with tobacco use. As part of initial activities of the programme, all the teachers of Gargaon High School, NSS volunteers and NCC cadets of Gargaon College and students of Gargaon High school took pledge not to consume tobacco in any form.

Dr Mintu Gogoi, Assistant Professor of Commerce, Pimily Langthasa, CTO of NCC and a few volunteers of NSS and NCC also delivered their speech on the importance of celebration of World No Tobacco Day and spoke on the harmful effects of the use of tobacco products. The programme received a very encouraging response of 150 participants, including teachers and students of the school.

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