Choose Life-Not Tobacco! IRCS, MCODS & Dist Admin Observe ‘World No Tobacco Day’
Choose Life-Not Tobacco! Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS)-Mangaluru; District Tobacco Control Cell; District Health & Family Welfare (DHFW); Dakshina Kannada District, Mangaluru; Zilla Panchayat, Wenlock Hospital; Department of Public Health Dentistry; among others observed “World No Tobacco Day 2019” at Town Hall, Mangaluru on 31 May 2019, at 10 am.
Mangaluru : ‘World No Tobacco Day’ is celebrated on May 31st every year to draw attention to the fact that five million die from using tobacco each year, and if that’s not bad enough another 600,000 die from second-hand smoking. Tobacco smoking and consumption of smokeless or chewing tobacco affects the lives of billions of persons, posing an enormous public health challenge in its complexity, scale and impact, both at an individual and nation-wide level. Tobacco use and smoking in particular, causes many of the chronic and debilitating diseases that affect the population and stress the national healthcare system. Such diseases include heart disease, stroke, multiple cancers and respiratory diseases, as well as complications of pregnancy such as preterm delivery and low infant birth weight.
31st May is marked as World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. Tobacco causes significant changes in a person’s mouth and counseling is the first step on the road to quitting. So, Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS)-Mangaluru; District Tobacco Control Cell; District Health & Family Welfare (DHFW); Dakshina Kannada District, Mangaluru; Zilla Panchayat, Wenlock Hospital; Department of Public Health Dentistry; among others observed “World No Tobacco Day 2019 to fight against tobacco, as counseling reveals the deleterious effects of continued tobacco use. After an informed public that is knowledgeable about the risk factors for oral cancer, the dental community is the first line of defense in early detection of the disease.
The programme began with Nada Geethe, followed by welcome address by S A Prabhakar Sharma- Secretary of D K Indian Red Cross Society. Dr M Ramakrishna Rao, the President of District Health & Family Welfare (DHFW) briefed about the No Tobacco Day, and about all the precautions taken by DHFW in cracking down on sale of tobacco illegally. “While observing NTD, this annual campaign is an opportunity to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form. The focus of World No Tobacco Day 2019 is on “Tobacco and Lung Health.” The campaign will increase awareness on: the negative impact that tobacco has on people’s lung health, from cancer to chronic respiratory disease, the fundamental role lungs play for the health and well-being of all people. The campaign also serves as a call to action, advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption and engaging stakeholders across multiple sectors in the fight for tobacco control ” added Dr Rao.
The ‘World No Tobacco Day’ was inaugurated by lighting of the lamp by chief guest, Judge A G Gangadhar- Senior Judge at District Court, along with CEO Zilla Panchayat Dr R Selvamani; MCC In-Charge Commissioner B H Narayanappa; DCP Hanumantharaya; Dr Dilip Naik- Dean, Manipal College of Dental sciences, Mangaluru; Rajeshwari Devi-DMO, Wenlock Hospital; Rtn CA Shantharam Shetty-Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society-DK; Dr Karthik Shetty of Indian Dental Association; Praveen Kumar- District Surveillance Officer, Dakshina Kannada District, Mangaluru; Dr. Rajesh G, Professor and Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry,Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangaluru; among others.
A poster on awareness of Tobacco with a message “Don’t Let Tobacco, Take Your Breadth Away” was released during the occasion by the dignitaries on the dais. Addressing the audience, chief guest Judge A G Gangadhar said, “This is a good initiative taken by all these organizations in observing No Tobacco Day in bringing awareness about the ill-effects of Tobacco. Since tobacco consumption is on the rise, we need to enact and enforce effective pictorial health warnings on all tobacco product packaging. Also Strengthen public awareness of the health risks, including the addictive characteristics of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. Health warnings on tobacco packages that combine text and pictures are one of the most cost-effective ways to increase public awareness of the serious health risks of tobacco use and to reduce tobacco consumption”..
“Media should also play an important role in bringing awareness about ill-effects of tobacco. There a number of strategies that can be used to educate the public about the harms of tobacco. Mass-media counter-advertising campaigns have been consistently found to reduce overall tobacco consumption. Mass-media campaigns are a cost-effective way to educate large population groups about the full extent of the risks of tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke. Media campaigns can also motivate and inform people on how to quit. Well-executed campaigns can also increase public support for key policy changes such as smoke-free public places ” added Judge Gangadhar..
A few other dignitaries on the dais also spoke on the effects created by smoking cigarettes and chewing other tobacco products. Jayaram Poojary of District Health Dept compered the programme, and dr Preetha C Shekar, the District Consultant DTCC was one of the coordinator of the programme. Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Dr Dilip Naik, the Dean of Manipal College of Dental sciences, Mangaluru said, “The ultimate goal of world No Tobacco-Day is to contribute to protect present and future generations not only from the ill effects of tobacco but also from social, environmental and economic scourges of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke. It is our collective responsibility to fight against this menace of tobacco, and I urge everyone to play their role for making general masses aware about the hazards and ill effects of tobacco and its products”
“These days the youth are being the victims of smoking. As long as a kid is in the care of his parents, he is not vulnerable to bad habits like smoking. Once he reaches his adulthood, due to the influence of friends and peer group, he/she starts smoking and becomes a reason for the ill health of himself and his family. Parents need to keep an eye on their growing children, ans spend some leisure time with them. Let’s all work together to make a difference in the community, and control the smoking habits among the masses” added Dr Naik.
In conclusion, we need to stress on the need to create more awareness to curb the menace of smoking. It is not enough that we organize programmes like this in the district level, rather we must create awareness in different panchayats/villages so that the awareness is spread at the rural level. We need to stop the usage of tobacco in the school premises and other public places so that its effect is reduced on the budding generation. Also that the smokers must not think about the law but about the public health when they are smoking in the public places. Not just because smoking results in cancer, there are a few oft ignored reasons why you should kick the “butt” immediately- Smoking affects your bone health; Smoking makes your blood more sticky; Forget dry eyes. Smoking can lead to cataract; Tobacco’s toxins can damage the genetic material in sperm cells; Smoking causes wrinkles, even change skin colour; Smoking leads to bad breath, dis-coloured teeth, build plaque and tartar..; Smoking makes your body more toxic; Smoking adversely affects wound healing-So STOP SMOKING! Period.