Week-long activities to mark World No Tobacco Day

Tobacco control programmes aimed at the vulnerable sections of society will be the highlights of the state-level activities to mark World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) May 31.

The theme of this year's WNTD is 'Raise tobacco taxes, reduce consumption and save lives'.

"Week-long activities beginning Sunday have been planned to spell out the harms of tobacco - a preventable cause of death and disability - and to raise societal consciousness against tobacco use in Kerala," A.S. Pradeep Kumar, nodal officer, Tobacco Control in Kerala, said here Thursday.

Kerala Health Services Department, Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology and Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) have joined hands with civil society groups under the umbrella of WNTD Kerala state organising committee to chalk out various events.

Special emphasis has been placed on raising awareness against tobacco use among the youth and enhancing their contribution towards tobacco control.

The Health Services Department has planned programmes in all 14 district headquarters and 120 blocks for raising awareness including quiz competitions for the youth.

Other programmes include public rallies against tobacco use in public places and workshops on helping mobilise efforts for increase in tobacco taxes.

"Tax-led price increase of tobacco products by 10 percent can reduce tobacco consumption by four per cent in high income countries and by six per cent in low and middle income countries," Kumar said.

A short film contest on tobacco control, targeting the youth will also be held.