Fifty shops in various parts of the city have agreed not to sell cigarettes and other tobacco products to mark the World No Tobacco Day on Saturday.
This follows efforts by members of the Greater Visakhapatnam branch of the Indian Dental Association, according to honorary secretary Bitra Sridhar.
Every year On May 31, the World Health Organisation and its member-States observe No Tobacco Day to highlight the risks associated with the use of tobacco and advocate implementation of effective strategies to reduce tobacco consumption. In addition, 24-hour period of abstinence from cigarette use is encouraged.
Awareness driveMembers of the association will conduct a public awareness programme on Saturday at the YMCA centre on the Beach Road from 6.30 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Dr. Sridhar said shop-keepers in several areas, including Dondaparti, New Colony, Sitammadhara, Lawson’s Bay Colony, had agreed not to sell cigarettes and other tobacco products for 24 hours.
