To spread awareness about the ill effects of consumption of tobacco and its products, the World No Tobacco Day 2019 was widely observed in Manipur on Friday.
With the focus on ‘Tobacco and Lung Health’, the World No Tobacco Day 2019 campaign was widely observed in Manipur to spread the awareness about the ill effects of using tobacco.
As part of the observation, Manipur health and family welfare minister L Jayentakumar launched Yellow Line campaign to prevent sale of tobacco products near schools and colleges.
On the occasion, the minister and director of health services, K Rajo along with C C Higher secondary School principal Indrani also painted a yellow line 100 yards away from C C Higher Secondary School’s boundary wall, indicating that it is a tobacco free zone.
The campaign is aimed at making people aware about the adverse effects of use of tobacco and preventing the young generation from getting addicted to it.
Manipur Oncology Society (MOS), Imphal observed World No Tobacco Day at the auditorium of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal.
JNIMS Director Dr Th Bhimo Singh, Secretary Dr Dhanabir Thangjam of Manipur Oncology Society, president and Dean Academic JNIMS Dr Gyaneshwor and Radiation Oncologist Professor Y Indibor of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) attended the observation.
The District Health Mission Society, District Tobacco Control Cell Imphal West observed World No Tobacco Day at Bhairodan Maxwell Hindi Primary and High School, Thangal Bazar with ‘Tobacco and Lung Health’ as this year’s theme.
The District Health Society Kangpokpi district also observed the Day at Model English Higher Secondary School at Saikul in Kangpokpi district.
The observation was attended by Superintendent of Police Kangpokpi Hemant Pandey, Chief Medical Officer Dr Kimneng Misao, Sub Divisional Officer Saikul Subinson Sapam, Zonal Educational Officer Kangpokpi Lhingneikim Kipgen and President Kuki Inpi Saikul Seimang Lupho.
There are also reports of observing the day by various organisations including Dental College, RIMS in Imphal, at different locations under different capacities.
According to State Nodal Officer Somorjit N of National Tobacco Control Programme, 55 per cent of adults (against the 28 per cent in the national level) in Manipur use different forms of tobacco. In India, tobacco kills eight to nine lakhs people every year.