Minister to open No Tobacco Day observance

World No-Tobacco Day will be observed here near the Gandhi Square on Tuesday.

The programme is being organised by the Tobacco-Free Kottayam Coalition, which includes the district administration, the Kottayam municipality, the district medical office, the district police office, the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), the district education office and social organisations.

Revenue Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan will inaugurate both the public meeting and a human chain on the occasion.

District Collector Mini Antony will deliver the keynote address.

Kerala Voluntary Health Services (KVHS) secretary Rose Vypana will administer the ‘No Tobacco' pledge to the gathering.

Jose K. Mani, M.P., will inaugurate the signature campaign. Kottayam Municipal Chairman Sunny Kalloor; District Superintendent of Police A. Akbar; District Medical Officer Aysha Bhai; District Panchayat President Radha V. Nair; and ex-MLA V.N. Vasavan, are expected to speak on the occasion.

KVHS executive officer Saju V. Itty will conduct an input session of the Advocacy Forum for Tobacco Control (AFTC) and the Indian Tobacco Control Law.