Anti-Tobacco Day – Over 54 Lac people die untimely due to smoking in the world every year

I Student rally held in J&K to mark Anti-Tobacco Day

            Uhadumpur (J&K)India, May 30  – Thousands of students drawn from various government educational institutions of the town carrying banners and placards on ill effects of tobacco and its products like “Say No to Tobacco”, “Smoking Causes Cancer”, “Smoking is injurious to health”, “Avoid Smoking Save Planet” , “Smoking habit invites untimely death” etc. marched through the main locations of Udhampur town in Jammu and Kashmir and finally culminated at D.C. office complex, here on Saturday.

            The District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Ajay Khajuria formally flagged off the rally from the premises of Government Higher Secondary School, Udhampur on the eve of Anti-Tobacco Day.

            The rally was organized with the collaborated efforts of Chief Education Officer, Assistant Controller, Drugs, Rotary Club and District Information Centre, Udhampur under the over all supervision of DDC.Chief Education Officer, V.R. Sharma, Assistant Controller Drugs, Munish Gupta, President Rotary Club, Udhampur, P.L. Sharma, Principal Boys HSS Udhampur and teachers participated in the rally.

            Addressing the rally, the DDC complimented the organizers for holding this event on the eve Anti-Tobacco Day for the awareness of school children and masses in general. Giving the striking figures on the ill effects of tobacco usage, Khajuria said that the health of millions of people around the globe was associated with this day. He said that over 54 Lac people die untimely due to smoking in the world every year with one death in nearly six seconds. Smoking reduces life expectancy by 10 years, the DDC informed the rally.

            In India, the DDC apprised that over 09 Lac people having smoking habits die prematurely every year registering one death out of 10 deaths due to tobacco use on an average. Highlighting the relevance of the day, he called upon the younger generation to come forward and act as an ambassador of anti-tobacco campaign. He asked the children to motivate their elders habitual of smoking to stop smoking forthwith to lead a healthy and long life.

            Mr. Khajuria appreciated the initiatives of Assistant Controller, Drugs, Udhampur for taking necessary steps for the implementation of section-5 of the Indian Tobacco Control Act-2003 in the district. He also praised the efforts of the President of Rotary Club, Udhampur for extending whole hearted support to make the rally a grand success.

            Giving the brief resume of the activities being make the first move for the awareness of the students and common masses regarding the complicacies being faced by smokers, the Chief Education Officer said that a massive awareness campaign has been launched by the Education and District Information Centre, J&K Government, Udhampur by holding debates, seminars and symposiums in educational institutions besides holding rallies at different schools against the use of tobacco.

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