Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, May 31 : Underscoring the need for complete ban on the use of tobacco and its allied products in the State, Minister of State for Health, Mr. Shabir Ahmad Khan has sought overwhelming support of the society to deal with the menace.
Speaking at a function held in Government Collage of Education, Srinagar on Friday which was organized to mark the World Anti-Tobacco Day, the Minister said that “unless people support the anti-smoking campaign, the ban imposed by the Government on Gutkhas and other allied tobacco products in the State won’t be effective. We believe that students and youth can be the best medium for disseminating the message about the ill effects on the health due to the use of tobacco and allied related products. He said youngsters and adolescents are the vulnerable target falling prey to the drug abuse and we have to make all out efforts to save them from the menace”, said the Minister. The function was organized by the Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) and J&K Voluntary Health Association in collaboration with divisional administration, department of Youth Services and Sports, Drug & Food Safety Organization and Government College of Education. The Minister said that the government has levied heavy tax on the tobacco products and also enforced complete ban on the manufacturing and import of Gutkhas in the State, but this endeavour would not help without the support of various stakeholders. He said making deterrent laws is not the solution to this important issue, but attitudinal change is required to tackle this complex issue. He called for launching a vigorous awareness campaign to educate the people, especially the younger generation about the ill effects of tobacco and its allied products on the human health.
The Minister appealed the NGOs, educational institutions, social and religious organizations to play their vital role for eradicating these evils from the society. He also asked the students to become the ambassadors for this social cause and spread this message in their homes, relatives and in their areas to keep the society smoke/addiction free.
Executive Director J&K Voluntarily Health Association, Srinagar, Mr. A. M. Mir also addressed the gathering an highlighted the initiatives of the organization for the benefits of the civil society.
Various speakers deliberated on the subject and threw light on the ill effects of tobacco on the human health. They sought strict implementation of ban on tobacco and Gutkha products to curb the menace of tobacco and Gutkhas etc. They appreciated the resolve of the Government authorities to fight the menace which is eating the vitals of the society.
District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Mr. Farooq Shah, Controller, Drug and Food Control Organization, Mr. Satish Gupta, DIG Civil Defence, Mr. Mubarak Ahmad, besides other officers, intellectuals, prominent citizens and large number of students were present on the occasion.
Earlier, the Minister flagged off an anti-Tobacco rally from the Government Collage of Education which culminated at TRC. Hundreds of students, volunteers of Civil Defence, Indian Red Cross Society, Voluntary Health Organization, prominent citizens, doctors, academicians and para-medics and common people participated in the rally |
