‘Smoke Free Home Initiative’ at A.J. Institute of Dental Sciences
Mangaluru: District Health and Family Welfare, District Tobacco Control Cell, D.K in association with Department of Public Health Dentistry, A.J. Institute of Dental Sciences has launched the “Smoke-Free Home” Initiative by Strengthening and Capacity Building of local health administration.
This pioneering project will be implemented through the Primary Health Care workers who play a significant role in community level activities. They will be educated by the faculty of the Department of Public Health Dentistry on “Ill effects of Second Hand and Third Hand Smoke” and “Significance of making their homes Smoke Free.” The distinguishing feature of this “Smoke-Free Home” initiative is the participatory process followed to promote a community wide intervention with an end goal of changing smoking norms.
The inauguration of the project was held at the auditorium, A.J. Institute of Dental Sciences on July 18th, 2017 at 10:00 am. Dr M.R. Ravi; CEO- Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayath was the Chief Guest, Dr Naveen Chandra, Taluk Health Officer-Mangalore and Dr Rajesh B. V. – District Surveillance Officer were the Guests of Honor. The programme was presided by Dr A.J. Shetty; President – Laxmi Memorial Education Trust.
The Chief Guest, Dr M.R. Ravi addressed the gathering and said that “Education should not be within the four walls. It should be linked to the health problems faced by the community. Educational Institutions must take up the responsibility of spreading awareness to the mass about prevailing health issues. Tobacco control Programs must not just be limited to urban areas, but also to the rural population where it is most required.”
Dr A.J. Shetty; President –Laxmi Memorial Education Trust addressed the gathering. Dr Vijaya Hegde – Professor and Head – Department of Public Health Dentistry – A.J. Institute of Dental Sciences briefed the audience about the “Smoke-Free Home” Campaign. Prashanth Shetty – Vice President – Laxmi Memorial Education Trust, Dr Raghavendra Kini – Vice Principal – A.J. Institute of Dental Sciences, Dr A.K. Pramila – Deputy Director-National Oral Health Policy- Government of Karnataka and Dr Naveen Shanker, Consultant, National Oral Health Policy, Government of Karnataka was also present.
