Kick that Butt ! DK Indian Red Cross Society Launches Anti Spitting Campaign to mark ‘World No Tobacco Day’
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 800,000 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. Since it was earlier announced that Sunday 31 May would be a Total Lockdown, Indian Red Cross Society of Dakshina Kannada launched a campaign to fight against use of tobacco and Anti Spitting to mark ‘World No Tobacco Day’ at DC’s office on Saturday, 30 May 2020.
In order to bring awareness about Spitting in the Public, ‘Anti-Spitting Campaign’ poster and sticker were released by Additional DC Ms M J Roopa in the presence of Probationary IAS Rahul Shindhe and Ms Gayathri Nayak-Deputy director of DUDC. Hon Secretary of Indian Red Cross Society Prabhakar Sharma welcomed and introduced the dignitaries. CA Shantharam Shetty, Chairman of Indian Red Cross Society, DK briefed about the Anti-Spitting Campaign. Anti-Spitting Stickers were handed over to Alphonse D’souza, the President Auto Rickshaw Union Society and to Subhash, the Secretary of he Auto Union. Shield for face mask were also distributed on the occasion. Yathish Baikampady of DK Indian Red Cross Society also spoke about the campaign, and said that stickers will be applied on City buses and auto-rickshaws.
Speaking on the occasion, Additional DC Ms Roopa M J said, ” Prohibiting spitting in public places by the Karnataka government will certainly play an important role in preventing spread of COVID-19. The saliva of the corona infected person carries the virus that remains active for 24-72 hours due to which there is a possibility of spreading of infection. It is not only for corona, but spitting in public places can spread other contagious diseases such as tuberculosis. In fact, it is the right time to stop the use of tobacco products along with pan masala and areca nut in the interest of public health. I appreciate the efforts of DK Indian Red Cross Society in launching this Anti-Spitting campaign “.
Also speaking Ms Gayathri Nayak said, “People need to refrain from consuming smokeless tobacco products along with paan masala and areca nut (supari) and spitting in public, as these products increase the production of saliva followed by a very strong urge to spit.Karnataka Government has prohibited spitting in public places, which will certainly help in containing the spread of corona infection because spitting in public places enhances the spread of COVID-19. Also Smokers are vulnerable to coronavirus infection because their respiratory system, respiratory tract and lungs are affected due to smoking. It is to be mentioned that in Karnataka 16.3% people use smokeless tobacco, while 8.8% people use tobacco smoking as per GATS-2 data. This campaign by Red Cross Society will bring awareness on Spitting in Public, and also stop smoking.
In conclusion, while World No Tobacco Day is observed, we need to stress on the need to create more awareness to curb the menace of smoking, and spitting of tobacco fluid in the public. 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 other ignored reasons why you should KICK THE ‘BUTT’ immediately- and also STOP SPITTING IN THE PUBLIC.
Chewing tobacco is one’s own right just like smoking or drinking is. But don’t spit in the end, instead simply swallow it. It will eventually find its exit. No one else is harmed or disgusted in the process.