AIMS to intensify ban on tobacco products
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 19 2022: Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Sinpanglup (AIMS) Women's Affairs secretary Nandita Ngasepam has informed that the student body will intensify its drive to ban sale of tobacco products to ensure a healthy indigenous population.

Addressing a press meet at AIMS' office, Kwakeithel here on Saturday, Nandita stated that it has been protesting against illegal substances for the sake of student community and the future generation.

However, the outsiders/non-locals, out of self-interests and greed to fill their pockets, continue to bring in harmful substances to the state, one of which is tobacco and its varied products.

As many state CSOs and student bodies continue to impose ban on sale of the tobacco products in the state, the continuous influx of the harmful products is raising concern of a possible hidden agenda to wipe out the indigenous population.

She continued that the WHO had declared May 31, 1987 as World No Tobacco Day and cited a report of the Organisation, which says that around 19 percent of boys and 8.3 percent of girls between the ages of 13-15 years abuse tobacco and its products.

Meanwhile, around 28.6 percent above the age of 15 years use tobacco, she maintained.

Consuming tobacco for a long time causes cancer, which is known by everyone.

Children of parents who are chain smokers are also born with poor health issues.

Use of tobacco induces a chemical process which causes a change in the genetic makeup and further lowers the immunity of the body, making it more susceptible to diseases.

However, the most shocking thing is that the number of women using tobacco is higher than men in Manipur, which in turn, is leading to high number of cancer cases among women, Nandita said.

Observing that tobacco products are now being used like it is part of the daily food intake, she remarked that it is unfortunate to see tobacco products being taken as a necessity even if one goes starve for the day.

Thus, this could be taken as the outsiders fulfilling their hidden agenda, she stated.

As such, AIMS will be intensifying its movement to protect the health of the indigenous population, Nandita said and urged the people of the state to extend their cooperation in this regard.

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