Awareness programmes on ill effects of tobacco held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 13 2019:
District Tobacco Control Cell, CMO Manipur in association with Sangai Youth Tobacco Free and Educational Organisation (SYTFEO), Singjamei organised an awareness on "National Tobacco Control Programme - Tobacco Free School" at HRD Academy, Ghari, today.
The programme conducted under the support of State Health Mission (SHM), NHM-NTCP, GoI was attended by SYTFEO, president, Premjit Thokchom, retd CMO Imphal West, Dr S Bimola Kumari Devi, Principal HRD Academy, L Kamakhyakumar Singh as the presidium members.
Speaking at the event, L Kamakhyakumar Singh said that the yellow line campaign initiated by SYTFEO and State Government to prevent sale of tobacco products near schools and colleges is laudable.
Regular consumption of tobacco products has numerous physical health consequences that leads to premature death, the Principal said adding that the sharp rise in use of tobacco products by the students and youth is a grave concern for the State.
He then urged all to encourage the initiative taken up to make people aware about the adverse effects of consuming tobacco products on health.
Dr Bimola Kumari said that the National Tobacco Control Programme is implemented in the State under the funding of State Health Mission.
Smoking and using tobacco products in public places is banned under Section- 4 of COTPA while Section 6 (a) prohibits sale of cigarettes or other tobacco products to a person below the age of eighteen years, she said.
Under Section 6 (b), selling of tobacco products in the nearby areas (within 100 metres radius) of educational institutions is also punishable by the law of the land, Dr Bimola said asserting that an enforcement team has been set up to enforce the law.
Tobacco causes lungs cancer, obstructive lungs diseases and other complications, she said.
Similar awareness programmes were also held at Comet School and Little Flower School.