Dibrugarh: On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day an awareness programme was organised by the District Tobacco Control Cell at the premises of Urban state dispensary in Dibrugarh on Wednesday.
The programme was attended by ADC (health) Sanghamitra Boruah, SDMO Dr. Nabajyoti Gogoi, DSP Head quarter Tarun kumar Medhi, Nodal officer Dr Saurav Gogoi along with representatives of various schools and college.
There were participants from NGOs, ART centre and staff from tuberculosis department.
It involved a detailed discussion on ill effects of tobacco and scope of alternative crops cultivation among farmers.
Tobacco free educational institution (TOFEI) certificates were awarded to twenty schools and one college; also certificates for children of Graham Bazar Girls High school who had participated in art competition on this occasion were also distributed.
A rally was organised which was flagged off by Joint Director of Health Services Dr Trishna Borah.
Similarly, Pratishruti Cancer and Palliative Trust and AONEI (Association of Oncologist of North East India) supported by NSS cell of Dibrugarh University and District Tobacco control cell and various other organisations organised a Walkathon in Dibrugarh.
Dibrugarh Deputy Commissioner Biswajit Pegu flagged off the Walkathon at Chowkidinghee field on Wednesday and expressed that the united effort will definitely make an impact specially among youths who are likely vulnerable to tobacco addiction.
“Consumption of tobacco is the topmost risk factor for almost all health ailments from heart diseases to cancer. Smoking is the cause of 90% of lung cancer and tobacco is the single topmost cause of mouth and head neck cancer in 90% cases. Our objective is to educate the public about the health risks associated with tobacco use, including smoking and smokeless tobacco products, to highlight the importance of quitting tobacco,” said Dr Gayatri Gogoi, Hony, Program Director, Pratishruti Cancer and Palliative Trust.