Port Blair, May 31: Along with rest of the World, every year, 31st May is observed as World No Tobacco Day throughout the Islands. As part of the observance, an awareness programme was conducted in all the Health and Wellness Centres across A & N Islands. In the State level programme, an awareness programme was conducted at Police Training School, Prothrapur for Police personnel, newly recruited trainees by National Tobacco Control Programme, State Health Society and Directorate of Health Services on the theme ‘Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference’ in coordination with Police Training School, Prothrapur and A&N Police.
This yearly celebration informs the public on the hazards of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect the future generations.
Dr. Satyajit Halder, Nodal Officer, NTCP highlighted the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in A & N Islands while Dr. Avijit Roy, Deputy Director (Health), focused on the theme ‘Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference’, ToFEI and COTPA-2003. Dr. Sanjiv Jaichand, Dental Surgeon spoke on ‘Effects of Tobacco on Oral Health’ in A & N Islands. A ‘No Tobacco Pledge’ was administered to the participants. Earlier, Shri M.K Shukla, Vice Principal, Police Training School, welcomed the gathering.