The Tobacco Control Cell has collected around 2 lakh signatures and hopes to get 10 million signatures. Based on the theme set by the World Health Organisation this year, the campaign addressed the interference on the part of tobacco companies.
The State Tobacco Control Cell in collaboration with the Indian Dental Association in Chennai conducted a tobacco awareness campaign on World No Tobacco Day at Marina Beach in the city on Thursday. At the rally, a mass human chain and a signature campaign were organised to create awareness about the risks of tobacco use.
Based on the theme set by the World Health Organisation this year, the campaign addressed the interference on the part of tobacco companies by advertising cigarettes and promoting the habit of smoking. Besides that, the campaign also seeks to promote the system of fining people smoking in public places.
Prasanna Kannan, WHO consultant said, “The focus of the WHO theme is on advertising of tobacco products which is prohibited by tobacco control laws. According to the Tobacco Control Act passed on October 2, 2008, smoking is not allowed in public places. More people need to be fined.”
As a part of the signature campaign the state tobacco control cell organised a display of banners containing the signatures of people from 18 countries showing solidarity against smoking. The Tobacco Control Cell has collected around 2 lakh signatures and hopes to get 10 million signatures.
Students from nine dental colleges attended the rally to protest against smoking at the four hour long rally with placards with slogans like “Cigarettes are killers; Travels in packs.”
The Chief Guest, Saidai Duraisamy, the Mayor of the city, commemorated the event by signing the banner and briefly joined the human chain being built to support the cause. He distributed prizes to three colleges for their effort at the campaign.
Keywords: World No Tobacco Day, anti-tobacco drive
