Workshop on Tobacco Control
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 19 2013: Under the objective of curbing use/consumption of tobacco products a district level orientation workshop on 'Implementation of National Tobacco Control Programme' was held today at the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner, Imphal West district.

Inaugural programme of the workshop organised by mantripukhri-based Educational and Social Upliftment Organisation (ESUO) in collaboration of Department of Health and Family Welfare was held with State Nodal Officer (Public Health) Dr Komolini Devi, DC (IW) K Radhakumar and ADC Dr L Nivedita as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Regretting that inspite of being aware about its harmful affect on health, tobacco items such as cigarette and zarda pan continues to be popular ingredients of religious and social events in Manipur, Dr Komolini called upon both Government agencies and NGOs for more concerted campaigning to check consumption of tobacco products.

Reminding that cancerous ailments caused due to use of tobacco items remain one of the most dreaded diseases, she also cited report by the World Health Organisation about one billion male and 1.25 million female using various tobacco products.

Further stating that about 5 billion of the global population will die from cancer-related diseases, Dr Komolini also expressed deep concern that trend of tobacco use in India continues to be on the upward scale with the users mostly concentrated among the poorer section of the society.

While 10 percent of the earning by the poor people are being spent on tobacco products, the total cost of treating cancer-related diseases in India in 2002-03 was Rs 30,833 crore, said the Nodal Officer adding that as per latest GATS survey report Manipur ranked fifth in tobacco consumption in the country.

In his address, K Radhakumar expressed hope that organising such events would make the people aware about the harmful affects of tobacco products.

As part of the workshop, resource persons elaborated on The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COPTA) 2003 along with explaining that under the Act's Section 6(a) and (b) use of cigarettes in public places and sale of tobacco items to minors as well as within 100 years of educational institutions are punishable offence.

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