Assam school to take oath on not to use betel nut or tobacco

Around 45 lakh children studying in government schools across Assam will be administered an oath on Saturday not to use betel nut or tobacco.

They would take the oath under the 'Pledge for Life' initiative of the department of education again on December 14, a statement by the organisers said on Friday.

The oath, as per the instructions from the department of Education reads: "I pledge not to use betel nut or tobacco in any form, including smoking cigarettes, bidis, etc, or chewing tobacco as gutka, etc., for the rest of my life and also encourage my family and friends not to do so."
Sanjay Seth, Trustee & Head Tobacco Control of SHF, said the Pledge for Life campaign will create an atmosphere among students that tobacco is the most 'uncool thing' to consume. We applaud the education department of Assam in taking such a big step to protect children's health."
Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute & Voice of Tobacco Victims (VoTV) patron Dr Ashok Das said, "The number of cancer cases is on rise and the sad part is that now young people are being diagnosed with cancers. If we eliminate tobacco, we can prevent 50% of all cancers. 90% of oral cancers, lung cancers are caused by tobacco."