World No Tobacco Day, 2024 observed
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 28 2024:
Directorate of Health Services along with State Health Society and National Health Mission, Manipur observed World No Tobacco Day, 2024 on the theme 'Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference' at the auditorium of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Porompat on Friday.
Speaking as chief gust of the observance, Health Services director Dr O Sanahanbi clarified that in-spite of World No Tobacco Day held every year on May 31 to spread awareness on the effects of using tobacco, the commemorative event had to be deferred in the state considering prevailing unrest situation.
Pointing that this year's priority is on children, especially the adolescents, as they have higher tendency for experimentation and taking risk, she remarked that advertisements of various tobacco products on social media arouse the youngsters to taste such products, which will subsequently turn into addiction.
Long term usage of tobacco products will affect the health of the consumers terribly and caused several diseases including oral cancer, lungs cancer, cardio-vascular cancer among others, the director cautioned.
Reminding that Ministry of Health's director general in a recent consultative meeting issued instruction for conducting mass awareness campaign, Sanahanbi lamented that in-spite of laws restricting sale of tobacco products to children, it could not be effectively implemented.
Further stating that two years of imprisonment and monetary penalty would be slapped in case of sale of tobacco products to children, the director also reminded that such products could not be sold in areas within 100 yards of educational institutions and urged the people to join hands and prevent youngsters from using tobacco products.
The observance was also attended by JNIMS medical superintendent Dr Kh Lokeshwar Singh and Public Health additional director Dr Chambo Gonmei as presidium members.