Srinagar, May 29 (Scoop News) – The Governor, N. N. Vohra, today called for adopting a missionary approach to generate greater awareness among people against adverse affects of tobacco consumption by involving all the stakeholders and society at large to progressively achieve the desired results.
The Governor was inaugurating a one-day “State Level Advocacy Workshop for Sensitizing Stakeholders on Tobacco Control Laws and Measures”, organized by the J&K Voluntary Health Association, in collaboration with the Divisional Administration, Kashmir, and the Drug and Food Control Organization, at SKICC, here.
The Governor emphasized that along with effective implementation of the anti-tobacco laws, greater focus must be laid on preventive aspects of this menace followed by curative efforts. In this context, the Governor observed that similar workshops and interactions are required to be organized at the district and sub-divisional levels to engender increasing awareness to prevent consumption of tobacco in any form. He added that it would be beneficial to organize lectures by experts and faculty members in schools, colleges and other educational institutions.
Tracing the possible beginning of tobacco use and smoking in
The Governor lauded the J&K Voluntary Health Association, the Kashmir Divisional Administration and all those who collaborated in organizing this Workshop on a highly relevant subject, and sincerely hoped that the deliberations during the technical sessions would go a long way in generating awareness on all related aspects to deal with the harmful affects of tobacco use.
The Governor presented certificates and mementos to various persons for their outstanding work in tobacco control effort. They included Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr. A. H. Samoon, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, M. A. Kakroo, Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, Mohammad Rafi, OSD with Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Aamir Ali, Food Inspector, Drug and Food Control Organisation, Kashmir, Shabir Ahmed Lone, former SHO, Soura, Inspector Abdul Majid, Chief Education Officer, Srinagar, G. H. Malik and the Principal, teachers and the students of the Tyndale Biscoe and Mallinson School, Srinagar. He also released a book brought out on the occasion.
The former Director, SKIMS,
Prof. Dr. Savita Malhotra, Head Regional Tobacco Control Cell, PGI,
M. Y. Tarigami, MLA spoke about the role which the legislators can play in tobacco control.
Dr. Tariq Qureshi, Eye Specialist, stressed that smoking leads to eye ailments also besides, affecting other systems.
Prof. Dr. H. A. Durrani, Gastroenterologist, expressed his views on the topic, “smoking tobacco products leads to Gastroenterological diseases along with causing other ailments”.
Praveen Sinha from the Voluntary Health Association of India,
The Chairman, J&K Voluntary Health Association, Prof. Dr. G. Q. Allaqaband, spoke on the theme of health burden of cigarette smoking and other tobacco products in the State. He expressed his gratitude to the Governor for endorsing their representation to the Government for increasing the tax rate on cigarettes and other tobacco products to discourage their use, and also thanked the Government for accepting this request.
In his welcome address, the Executive Director, J&K Voluntary Health Association, A. M. Mir, gave details of the activities of the Association and the aims and objects of organizing the Advocacy Workshop.
The Divisional Commissioner,
The Additional Director General of Police, Home Guards and Auxiliary Police, Dr. Ram Lubhaya, DIG, A. G. Mir, Controller, Drug and Food Organization, Satish Gupta and other senior officers of various Departments were present on the occasion.
A number of functionaries and activists of the Association, senior officers, medicos, social activists, prominent citizens, media persons, representatives of various NGOs, trade and commerce, taxi and houseboat owners and students were present on the occasion.
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