post news network, Bhubaneswar, May 31: On the occasion of the World No Tobacco Day, a plethora of programmes were organised in the city to create awareness among the public on the harmful effects of consumption of tobacco products. The programmes covered railway stations, airport, streets and several auditoriums in the city.
Suryakantha Foundation of Educational and Charitable Trust Sunday organised a special discussion session on the harmful effects of consumption of tobacco products on the health of people at the Soochana Bhawan at 10 in the morning. A number of people participated in the session, which saw people from diverse sections of the society expressing their views against use of tobacco.
Speaking on the occasion, Bipin Mishra, chairman of the foundation said, “It is really a matter of concern that several people hit by cancer are often forced to struggle for their lives. Many of them have to travel to Mumbai for their costly treatment because of lack of any specialized cancer-care centre in the state. A lot of these cases could be attributed to tobacco use.”
Time to take a vow
Bhubaneswar (North) MLA, Priyadarshi Mishra, who was present during the occasion also expressed his concern about the addiction to tobacco products and its harmful consequences. He said, “We should take a vow that from today we will give up the addiction.”
People from other sectors too, voiced their protest against tobacco abuse. Sarat Mishra, who retired as the director general of police a few years ago said, “Several survey data say it is not AIDS and Malaria that kill more people; rather tobacco-related diseases are taking a big toll on the lives of the people in our country.”
Prafulla Kar, noted singer, also exhorted the people to give up the addiction and lead a healthy life. He said that many families have been devastated due to the ramifications of the consumption of tobacco products like gutka, pan masala and others.
Health professionals’ campaign
Around 7am, Sparsh Hospital marked the world no tobacco day at the Master Canteen and took out an awareness rally to inform the citizens about the harmful effects of tobacco use. A number of health professionals and volunteers took part in the drive.
The Institute of Dental Sciences of the S’O’A University conducted a successful anti-tobacco awareness programme from 8 am to 12 pm at the Bhubaneswar Airport and the railway station, under the guidance of Manoj Ranjan Nayak, founder president of the S’O’A University and Neeta Mohanty, dean, IDS.
Several other organisations and institutions also observed the day with proper importance and solemnity.