Tobacco control programmes aimed at the vulnerable and other sections of population would be the highlight of the state-level activities in Kerala to mark World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) that falls on May 31.
The theme of this year's WNTD is 'Raise tobacco taxes, reduce consumption and save lives,Dr A S Pradeep Kumar, Addl Director of Health Services (Public Health) and Nodal Officer, Tobacco Control in Kerala, told reporters here today.
A week-long activity has 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, Kumar said.
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 give shape to various events, he said.
Special focus has been given to heighten awareness against tobacco use among the youth and to enhance their contribution towards tobacco control, Kumar, who is also the Co-Chairman of the WNTD Organising Committee, said.
The Health Services Department has planned programmes in all 14 district headquarters and 120 blocks for raising awareness including quiz competitions for the youth in all districts.
