On Friday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organized an event to mark World No Tobacco Day 2024. This year’s theme is “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference,” which highlights the importance of protecting young people from the harmful influences of tobacco.
Government’s Commitment to Tobacco Control
Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra spoke through a video message at the event. He talked about the serious impact of tobacco use and emphasized the government’s active role in reducing tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke.
Chandra pointed out that Bharat is working at local, national, regional, and global levels to create healthier communities by cutting down tobacco consumption.
Chandra reaffirmed Bharat’s commitment to protecting current and future generations from the health, social, environmental, and economic harms of tobacco use. He mentioned that Bharat’s strict enforcement of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has shown positive results.
The event also outlined key focus areas for 2024, including the strict enforcement of the National Tobacco Control Law (COTPA 2003), more public awareness campaigns, increasing the number of tobacco-free educational institutions, and creating tobacco-free villages.
PV Sindhu as Brand Ambassador
Bharatiya badminton star PV Sindhu was named the brand ambassador for Tobacco Control. In a video message, she encouraged everyone to join the fight against tobacco use and choose healthier lifestyles. Her message can be viewed here
V Hekali Zhimomi, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, announced that India is the first country to regulate anti-tobacco warnings on streaming platforms like OTT.
Professor Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, stressed the need for new strategies to educate young people about the dangers of tobacco. He also emphasized the importance of limiting tobacco advertising and involving more influencers to spread awareness.
WHO Recognition and New Guidelines
Dr. Roderico Ofrin, WHO Representative to Bharat, praised Bharat’s leadership in tobacco control, especially its regulation of tobacco depiction on OTT platforms and its ban on e-cigarettes. He called for collective efforts to protect future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco.
Operational Guidelines for Establishing Tobacco Cessation Centres in Medical Institutions were also unveiled. These guidelines aim to train medical students about tobacco cessation and integrate these services into healthcare institutions, boosting quit rates among tobacco users and strengthening the healthcare system.
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During the event, the WHO World No Tobacco Day 2024 Awards were given. The State Tobacco Control Cell in Odisha received the WHO WNTD Award, while Dr. Mir Mushtaq Ahmad and the Generation Saviour Association in Punjab received the Regional Director’s Special Recognition Award. These awards honor individuals or organizations for their achievements in tobacco control.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched an online “No Tobacco Pledge” on the MyGov platform, encouraging widespread participation in the No Tobacco Pledge campaign starting from May 31. The pledge can be taken here: No Tobacco Pledge.
As part of the National Oral Health Programme, an oral screening and tobacco cessation camp was organized at Nirman Bhawan by the National Resource Centre for Oral Potentially Malignant Disorder (OPMD Hub) of the Lady Hardinge Medical College.
Dr. L Swasticharan, Additional DDG, Directorate General of Health Services, Dr. Poonam Meena, Deputy Secretary (Tobacco Control), and other senior officers from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare were present at the event, demonstrating their support for tobacco control initiatives.
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