Leh/Kargil (Ladakh), May 31 (Scoop News) -Like in every part of the world, World No Tobacco Day with the theme of “Ban Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship” was also observed in Leh highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption in Leh Auditorium Hall in presence of large number of school children and teachers today.
The day was celebrated with Anti Tobacco Health Awareness Programme for students organized by the Health Department in collaboration with Himalayan Health Projects (HHP), Taxi Operator, Contractor Association Leh, Truck Operator Union and Goodwill Club Leh.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate Yahya Firdous who was the chief guest on the occasion highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use, advised the student fraternity to spread affective awareness in the society starting from their respective homes to make the surrounding tobacco free zone and added that “creating fear in the minds of consumer is more effective than enforcing law made on tobaccos” asserted Firdous. Disclosing some astonishing survey finding figures of 2500 person dying annually due to tobaccos usage, added that inspite of this fact findings people fail to realize the consequences of tobacco usage. He appreciated Dr. Nurbu’s vital role for the society and repeatedly appealed the students to follow his footprints to serve the society.
HHP Director Dr. Nordan Odzer referring to recent Nobra Ama Tsogspa initiative of putting complete blanket ban on tobacco exhorted upon holistic approach from all section to put complete ban on tobacco and said that tobacco killer has become an epidemic which must be control before it goes from bad to worst.
Designated officer Food Safety and Standard Tamchos spoke in details about cigarette and other products tobacco Act 2003 (COPTA) whereby it was clearly mention about selling tobaccos to students and selling such products near school and hospitals as heinous offence.
Speaking on the ill effect tobacco on health, Dr.Ghulam Mohd MD physician specialist informed that cigarette smoking causes lungs and stomach cancers and use of tobacco in any form causes great damage to health.
On the occasion Students of Lamdon Model Senior Secondary School and
Leh Morden School presented an informative skit showing the consequences of tobaccos usage.
Dr. Tsering Nurboo MD was felicitated for his contribution in controlling hypertension, usage of tobaccos and alcohol in Leh. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Norbu said that he had render his 30 years service to the people of this region and appealed every Ladakhi to avoid buying and selling tobacco products and live a tobacco free life, thus ensuring a safe and healthy society to live in.
Earlier, while delivering the welcome speech Deputy Chief Medical Officer Yangchan Dolma disclosed that tobacco kills nearly 6 million annually and more than 600000 are nonsmokers exposed to second-hand smoke.
Dr.P.Wancghuk D.T.O presented the vote of thanks on the occasion.
The World No Tobacco day was also observed today in Kargil at Degree College Kargil.
On this occasion an awareness camp was organized by the District Health Society Kargil (Department of Health) in collaboration with Degree College Kargil.
On this occasion the Executive Councilor for Agriculture and Revenue LAHDC Kargil Haji Ghulam Amir Kamran was the Chief Guest and Additional Deputy Commissioner Kargil Kacho Hassan Khan was the Guest of Honour.
Haji Ghulam Amir Kamran appreciated the role of District Health Society Kargil for organizing such awareness camps on issues arising in the society and on particular days like todays. Terming the youths as icon and future of the society he requested the students to become ambassador for making Kargil Tobacco free. The Chief Guest further stressed on the Organizing department to conduct such seminars and awareness camps at block and school level so that such evil practices should be banished from the society completely.
The Guest of Honour while interacting with the students told that students should become the monitoring authority for controlling the Use of Tobacco products at Prohibited Public places like College, bus stand, buses, and offices etc in turn helping the administration.
Earlier Dr Shabir Hussain CMO Kargil presenting the welcome speech threw light on this year’s theme “Ban of Advertising and Marketing of Tobacco Products”.
Meanwhile Dr Ghulam Hussain Bardi Physician Specialist District Hospital Kargil threw light on the menace of Tobacco Products and its effect on health of an individual.
Students of the college threw light on the importance of NO Tobacco Day and particularly this year’s theme.
Later the Additional Deputy Commissioner Kargil Kacho Hassan Khan and In-charge Principal Degree College Kargil Mohammad Salim distributed Prizes amongst the participants.
On this occasion Faculty of Degree College Kargil, Health Department and Students of Degree College Kargil were also present.
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