Kick the Butt! Quit smoking to mark “World No Tobacco Day’ on 31 May 2016
Mangaluru: For this year’s World No Tobacco Day, WHO and the Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control are calling on countries to get ready for plain (standardized) packaging of tobacco products. Plain packaging refers to “measures to restrict or prohibit the use of logos, colors, brand images or promotional information on packaging other than brand names and product names displayed in a standard color and font style (plain packaging).
World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed around the world every year on May 31. It is intended to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption around the globe. The day is further intended to draw attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to negative health effects, which currently lead to nearly 6 million deaths each year worldwide, including 600,000 of which are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. The member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) created World No Tobacco Day in 1987. In the past twenty-nine years, the day has been met with both enthusiasm and resistance around the globe from governments, public health organizations, smokers, growers, and the tobacco industry.
Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Mangalore Press Club, Dr Shobitha Rao Bhat-Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Indiana Hospital-Mangaluru said, ” On the occasion of ‘World No Tobacco Day’, the department of Pulmonary Medicine at Indiana Hospital will be organizing a Free Spirometry Camp and concession rates in consultations and tests. The aim of this camp is to spread awareness among people regarding smoking-related lung disorder and also to facilitate early diagnosis of these diseases.It is also associated with the launch of ‘No smoking’ package for a period of one month starting from 31 May till 31 June 2016. This package involves various tests to screen for smoking-related disorders and specialist consultation at attractive rates”.
Speaking to Mangalorean.com after the press meet, Dr Shobitha said, “World No Tobacco Day is observed worldwide with the intention of reducing tobacco consumption and helping people quit. This is done by educating people on smoking-related disorders and making smoking less attractive to the younger generation. Cigarette consumption in India has fallen marginally in the past 2 years. However, the number of women smokers is on the rise. Despite the dip in the rate, owing to the large population of our country the number of smokers is still high. One million of tobacco-related deaths occur in India every year.”
“According to WHO, smoking is responsible for 1 in 10 deaths worldwide. Cigarette smoking can harm almost every organ in the body and is considered to be the leading cause of death worldwide which can be prevented. As compared to non-smokers, Smokers are at increased risk to develop lung diseases, heart disease, various cancers, stroke among many others. The risk is also more for those who have never smoked themselves but are exposed to the smoke of other cigarettes (passive smoking). Considering this enormous burden caused by tobacco to the individual, family and health care system it is the need of the hour to aggressively educate people on the hazards of smoking and how smoking is indeed “Injurious to health”, added Dr Shobitha.
For more details on the Free Spirometry Camp call : 0824-880880.
