World No Tobacco Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 31 2013 : Like in other parts of the globe Mani-pur too joined in the observance of 'World No Tobacco Day' today with the directorate of Health Services as well as NGOs organised observance functions to mark the occasion.

This year the global event was held under the theme 'Ban Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship.

While the Directorate along with Manipur Voluntary Hea-lth Association organised ob- servance function at the latter's Wangkhei Ningthem Pu- khri Mapal conference hall, anti-drug campaigner - Coalition Against Drugs and Al- cohol (CADA) - joined hands with Nepra Menjor Pukhri Mapal Youth Development Association to observe the event at Sagolband Nepra Menjor community hall.

The observance was also held at Thoubal wherein a public rally cum meeting was organised under the joint aegis of Waikhom Mani Girls College National Service Scheme Unit-2, Nehru Yuva Kendra (Thoubal), Lions Club thoubal and District Health Society, Thoubal.

As chief guest of the latter function, Sagolband AC MLA RK Imo Singh advocated that along with observ- ing events there is need for intense and extensive awareness campaigns on the harm- ful consequences of consuming or smoking tobacco pro- ducts as there has been increase in the number of toba- cco product users in the State.

Hinting that use of tobacco products is the introductory phase for a youngster to indulge in more intoxicating items in the near future, he called upon the NGOs to join hands in preventing the future generation from wasting their precious lives.

The MLA also regretted that Manipur has been gradually turned into a zone for trade in illegal drugs.

In his address, CADA pre-sident Arambam Rabindra conceded that tackling the me-nace of substance abuse and alarming rate of tobacco pro-duct consumption needs co- operation and active participation of various NGOs working in the field.

The fact that no individual has been punished till date inspite of several instances of huge illegal drugs seized from different places including at the airport is an indication that Manipur's youngsters would continue to be exposed to various drugs and intoxicating items, Rabindra observed.

With the Government failing to check the menace of drugs and substance abuse the only means to ensure that the future generation do not fall prey to harmful drugs is for the masses to remain vigil and join campaigns against illegal drugs and drug traders.

Among others, the observance function was also atten- ded by Retd Divisional Forest Officer Khwairakpam Bi- ra, who is also the co-host president, and IMC Ward No.10 councillor S Tiken Singh.

At MVHA conference ha-ll, the event was held with Director (Health Services) Dr A Bijoy Singh and MVHA president Kh Achou as the presidium members.

As a part of the observance, the public rally held at Thoubal district highlighted harmful effects of tobacco use with Chief Medical Officer (Thoubal) Dr Kh Radhe-shyam Singh flagging off the march from the CMO office complex.

Participated by students from various schools of Tho-ubal district headquarters and NGO volunteers, the rally covered different locations of the district before converging at Kshetri Shanglen near the district police headquarters.

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