Along with the rest of the world, the District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC), East Siang district of Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh in collaboration with the Women Against Social Evil (WASE) observed the World No Tobacco Day on Thursday at Sika-Tode on the theme ‘Tobacco breaks heart’.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Commissioner TamyoTatak called upon the people and the students in particular not to fall prey to smoking or chewing tobacco, the use of which is very harmful for our health.
He stressed upon them to make those people, who are habitual of smoking, aware about the harmful effects of tobacco so that they make up their mind to leave this bad habit.
Tatak called upon the villagers to co-operate with the authorities in implementing the COTPA rules and thereby making a tobacco-free society. The DC urged the DTCC team to execute more such awareness programmes.
DMO-cum-member secretary, DTCC, Dr M Perme gave a presentation on the theme emphasizing on harmful effects of tobacco on health and how it is one of the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases.
He appealed the participants to take pledge to fight against the evil practice of using tobacco, cigarettes and other tobacco related products and to maintain a healthy lifestyle availing free counselling and pharmacological treatment provided by the Government.
Women activist and WASE secretary JoyaTasung Moyong said widespread use of tobacco, alcohol, opium and other forms of drugs in day-to-day life are the main causes of social evils which hamper the development process and also destroy the normal family relationship. She assured to conduct outreach camps to create more awareness on it, on regular basis and called for participation of more women in eradicating such evils from the society.
The gaon burhas and the PRIs were also present in the occasion.