SDF organized awareness campaign against use of tobacco & drugs in Numaligarh

A Correspondent

Numaligarh: The Social Development Forum or SDF organized a mass awareness campaign against the use of tobacco and drugs in the 89th annual conference of Srimanta Sankardev Sangha that held from February 5 to February 8 at the world heritage Kaziranga Samannay Kshetra in Numaligarh, Golaghat.

SDF hung many poster-banners across the conference site and also distributed leaflets among devotees and other visitors. A temporary office of the organization was also set up at the conference site in this regard. The campaign was launched to raise awareness about the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form. General secretary Dhrubajyoti Bora said, “We want the future generations of the country to be healthy and happy. But the use of tobacco, drugs, alcohol and similar substances are leading youngsters to a darker world. We also want to thank the CSR department of Numaligarh Refinery Ltd for their help and support for the campaign.”

Dhrubajyoti Bora also stated that almost 60 big posters-banners were hung across various places at the conference site. More than 10,000 leaflets were also distributed among people. Along with these, posters-banners creating awareness for a greener world were also seen. SDF also hung poster-banners and tried to create awareness on topics like child labour, women empowerment, crime against women and environment.

According to SDF general secretary Dhrubajyoti Bora, their campaign will continue until and unless they accomplish their goal of making the young generation tobacco-free. Lung health is not achieved merely through the absence of disease. Tobacco smoke has major implications for the lung health of smokers and non-smokers globally.

In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of a one-third reduction in NCD (Non-Communicable Disease) premature mortality by 2030, tobacco control must be a priority for governments and communities worldwide. Tobacco smoking is the primary cause for lung cancer, responsible for over two-thirds of lung cancer deaths globally. Second-hand smoke exposure at home or in the work place also increases risk of lung cancer. Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of lung cancer. After 10 years of quitting smoking, risk of lung cancer falls to about half of that of a smoker. Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition where the build-up of pus-filled mucus in the lungs results in a painful cough and agonizing breathing difficulties. The risk of developing COPD is particularly high among individuals who start smoking at a young age as tobacco smoke significantly slows lung development. Tobacco also exacerbates asthma, which restricts activity and contributes to disability. Early smoking cessation is the most effective treatment for slowing the progression of COPD and improving asthma symptoms. Globally, an estimated 60 000 children die before the age of 5 years of lower respiratory infection caused by second-hand smoke. Those who live till adulthood continue to suffer the health consequences of second-hand smoke exposure as frequent lower respiratory infections in early childhood significantly increase risk of developing COPD in adulthood.

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