Adverse effects of tobacco use highlighted on World No Tobacco Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 31 2019: District Health Mission Society, District Tobacco Control Cell (NTCP) Imphal West observed World No Tobacco Day at Bhairodan Maxwell Hindi Primary and High School, Thangal Bazar today, with "Tobacco and Lung Health" as this year's theme.

Speaking as chief guest of the function, Additional SP (OPS), Imphal West, A Ghanashyam Sharma stated that WHO has been observing May 31 as World No Tobacco Day.

Underlining the ill-effects and various health hazards of tobacco use, he stated that cigarettes and pipes were abundantly used in every household and are popularly used during occasions in Manipur society, 30 years back.

The use of tobacco, especially cigarettes, has started to decrease slightly as a result of generation of vast awareness on harmful effects of tobacco.

However, he remarked that cigarette is used on a large scale among the youth, which is very unfortunate while adding that addiction to tobacco will lead to deadly diseases.

Meanwhile, CMO/DMC Imphal West Dr H Kula Singh said every part of the body is affected from tobacco use and added that such kind of event is organised to raise awareness on the ill-effects of tobacco with a new theme every year.

Conveying that young people often sway their minds to try new things and it is the stage where youngsters have to take extra care and caution of the health and parents have to keep a strict vigil as well.

Headmistress, Bhairodan Maxwell Hindi Primary and High School, Kh Sunita said that those parents who use tobacco in front of their children make a bad impression and added that street vendors, which are located within 100 metres from the school, selling tobacco items also pose a great risk to the students.

The dignitaries along with the students took pledge against tobacco use.

Meanwhile, NTPC in collaboration with Food Safety carried out a tobacco drive at vendors and shops located within 100 metres from the school and issued challan/ticket for selling tobacco items.

CMO Dr H Kula, Addl SP A Ghanashyam Sharma, Food Safety Designated Officer Y Satyajit, Food Safety officials, DNO, NTCP Dr Bitam were present in the drive among others.

On the other hand, Manipur Oncology Society, Imphal observed World No Tobacco Day at the auditorium of JNIMS Porompat today.

JNIMS Director Dr Th Bhimo Singh graced the event as the chief guest while secretary, Manipur Oncology Society Dr Dhanabir Thangjam as the functional president and Dean Academic JNIMS Dr Gyaneshwor and Radiation Oncologist, RIMS Professor Y Indibor as guests of honour.

Chief guest of the event, Dr Bhimo lauded Manipur Oncology Society Imphal for observing World No Tobacco Day and underlining the negative impacts of tobacco use to the public through such events.

Maintaining that this year's theme, "Tobacco and Lungs Health" is relevant to the kind of lifestyle that the people is adopting in today's world, he remarked that people have started consuming tobacco from a very young age, especially the students and youth, which is very unfortunate.

Dr Bhimo stressed on the role of parents in keeping a check on their children's sudden behaviour or nature and their lifestyle.

Consumption of tobacco from a young age will only lead to the birth of different kinds of diseases, beginning from the area of the mouth till all the way to the lungs, he maintained.

He appealed all to refrain from tobacco use and adopt a healthy life.

Meanwhile, Dental College, RIMS Imphal observed World No Tobacco Day while the Department of Public Health Dentistry took initiative for the program.

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