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| World Tobacco Day observed in Kashmir valley | | Public support must for curbing the menace of smoking: Shabir |  Srinagar, May 31 (Scoop News) –Underscoring the need for complete ban on the use of tobacco and its allied products in the State, Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmad Khan has sought overwhelming support of the society to deal with the menace.
Speaking at a function held in Government Collage of Education, Srinagar on Friday which was organized to mark the World Anti-Tobacco Day, the Minister said that “unless people support the anti-smoking campaign, the ban imposed by the Government on Gutkhas and other allied tobacco products in the State won’t be effective. We believe that students and youth can be the best medium for disseminating the message about the ill effects on the health due to the use of tobacco and allied related products. He said youngsters and adolescents are the vulnerable target falling prey to the drug abuse and we have to make all out efforts to save them from the menace”, said the Minister.
The function was organized by the Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) and J&K Voluntary Health Association in collaboration with divisional administration, department of Youth Services and Sports, Drug & Food Safety Organization and Government College of Education.
The Minister said that the government has levied heavy tax on the tobacco products and also enforced complete ban on the manufacturing and import of Gutkhas in the State, but this endeavour would not help without the support of various stakeholders. He said making deterrent laws is not the solution to this important issue, but attitudinal change is required to tackle this complex issue. He called for launching a vigorous awareness campaign to educate the people, especially the younger generation about the ill effects of tobacco and its allied products on the human health.
The Minister appealed the NGOs, educational institutions, social and religious organizations to play their vital role for eradicating these evils from the society. He also asked the students to become the ambassadors for this social cause and spread this message in their homes, relatives and in their areas to keep the society smoke/addiction free.
Executive Director J&K Voluntarily Health Association, Srinagar, A. M. Mir also addressed the gathering an highlighted the initiatives of the organization for the benefits of the civil society.
Various speakers deliberated on the subject and threw light on the ill effects of tobacco on the human health. They sought strict implementation of ban on tobacco and Gutkha products to curb the menace of tobacco and Gutkhas etc. They appreciated the resolve of the Government authorities to fight the menace which is eating the vitals of the society.
District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Shah, Controller, Drug and Food Control Organization, Satish Gupta, DIG Civil Defence, Mubarak Ahmad, besides other officers, intellectuals, prominent citizens and large number of students were present on the occasion.
Earlier, the Minister flagged off an anti-Tobacco rally from the Government Collage of Education which culminated at TRC. Hundreds of students, volunteers of Civil Defence, Indian Red Cross Society, Voluntary Health Organization, prominent citizens, doctors, academicians and para-medics and common people participated in the rally
Meanwhile a seminar was also held at S.P Higher Secondary School, here today. The seminar was organized by District Legal Services Authority in collaboration with (FPA) Family Planning Association of India, Srinagar.
Additional District Judge, Srinagar, Y.P. Kotwal presided over the function, while the members of FPA and DSLA, besides large number of students also present on the occasion.
Kotwal in his inaugural address said that the students have to play a pivotal role for making general masses aware about the hazards and ill effects of smoking and consuming tobacco and its allied products.
He said that conducting seminars, awareness camps in the educational institutions would go a long way in creating awareness amongst students about the ill effects of these products on the human health and help in curbing this menace. He also mentioned about several initiatives taken by the government which include banning the use of Gutkhas and other tobacco products and prohibition of smoking in government offices.
The speakers also highlighted the ill effects of the smoking and tobacco products and suggested measures to deal with the subject. They underscored the need of rejuvenating anti-tobacco campaign with the involvement of various stakeholders of the society to curb the menace.
World Anti Tobacco Day also observed at Kupwara, Budgam and Pulwama
The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara today flagged off the students rally organized by the Chief Medical Officer, Kupwara in collaboration with Education Department, in which 200 participants from Boys Higher Secondary School, Middle School and ANMT School, Kupwara participated with holding of banners, placards and slogans about ill effects of smoking. The rally went round the markets of the town to make people aware about the ill effects of smoking.
The Chief Medical Officer, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Principal ANMT School, Teachers, students were present on the occasion and the speakers threw light at the World Anti Tobacco Day and sought cooperation of the people to make the district smoke free and healthy.
A seminar was also held at ANMT School, Kupwara where the Chief Medical Officer participated as chief guest and health experts spoke on the topic and the students whose essays were adjudged best were awarded.
The students took oath to start anti smoking campaign from their homes and coordinate with the Health department for a successful anti smoking campaign.
Meanwhile, at Budgam, World Anti Tobacco Day was also observed at Sheikh-ul-Alam Hall, Budgam which was jointly organized by District Legal Services Authority, Budgam and Cultural Environmental Educational Organization (NGO).
Chief Judicial Magistrate, Budgam, Gowhar Majeed Dalal presided over the function as chief guest. The other distinguished guests present in the function were Additional District Development Commissioner, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, Munsiff Judge, Fozia Paul, alongwith other concerned officers.
Addressing a large gatherthing of students, representatives of NGOs and Health workers present on the occasion, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Budgam said that pro-active measures are required to curb this menace. He said efforts should be made on top level to discourage its cultivation.
Gowhar Majeed urged upon the administration to gear up its resources and ensure public places smoking free particularly educations institutions and Health Centres besides engage concerned authorities. He asked Health workers, NGOs to conduct road shows, seminars, awareness programmes at all public places so that general public particularly youth could be made aware of its hazardous consequences.
Additional District Development Commissioner also spoke on the occasion.
On the conclusion nine students who took part in the symposium were felicitated with awards and certificates.
At Pulwama, District Legal Services Authority, Pulwama, organized an awareness programme on the eve of World Anti-Tobacco Day at Government Central High School Pulwama today.
The students of the school were apprised of the dangerous consequences of the smoking, besides the Chairman District Legal Services Authority Pulwama, Mohammad Yousuf Wani, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Pulwama, Dr. Shah Faesal, Headmistress Govt. Central High School, Pulwama also spoke on the occasion.
The programme was appreciated by the students and teachers.
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