The Tamil Nadu Voluntary Health Association (TNVHA), along with the Adyar Cancer Institute, will be conducting a household survey in the State to map tobacco usage at the end of the year.
V. Shanta, chairperson of Cancer Institute, said that surveys have already been undertaken in three slums in the city. “Tobacco in any form is bad and may lead to cancer. It is important to understand the usage in the State to conduct awareness,” she said.
According to P. Rajan, executive director of TNVHA, there are no proper statistics on tobacco usage. “We are going to undertake a sample survey in all the districts of the State, using our network of over 400 NGOs,” he said, adding that a questionnaire has already been prepared.
“A district convenor’s meeting will be held mid-December, when representatives from Cancer Institute will provide training to the NGOs. We hope to have the results of the survey out by February next year,” Mr. Rajan said. The results will be submitted to the government, he added.
On Friday, the Cancer Institute conducted an awareness workshop to observe National Cancer Awareness Day, which was attended by representatives of over 100 NGOs in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts. It included talks on cancer incidence patterns, screening and early detection of oral cancers, cancer myths and facts.