Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 23: N. N. Vohra, Governor, appreciated the role played by the Voluntary Health Association in sensitizing the general public about the deleterious effects of smoking and consumption of tobacco products.
The Governor was speaking at the inaugural function of the “State Level Orientation Workshop for Stakeholders on the implementation of ‘National Tobacco Control Programme’ (NTCP) in the State of Jammu and Kashmir”, organized by J&K Voluntary Health Association in collaboration with “International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases” at Nigeen Club.
The Governor stressed the need for raising awareness about the adverse consequences of smoking and consumption of tobacco and its related products in the State. He stressed the need for collaborative efforts being made by all stakeholders particularly the Health, Education and Police Departments in the State to deal with smoking and other harmful habits.
The Governor urged A.G. Mir, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, and Farooq Ahmad Shah, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, to launch a well planned campaign for removal of all hoardings and advertisements which promote the sale of tobacco products, from identified public places in the city.
For enlarging the awareness campaign, the Governor suggested involvement of volunteers from the State Red Cross Society and Boys Scouts and Girl Guides organizations. Combined teams of such volunteers can spread awareness among the general public about the devastating health consequences of use of tobacco and other related products. He said that time-bound steps are jointly needed by all concerned agencies for effective implementation in the State of the Govt. of India’s “National Tobacco Control Programme”.
The Governor released the translated version of “Health Workers Guide for Tobacco Control” in Urdu language, on the occasion.
Dr. G.Q. Allaqaband, Chairman, JK Voluntary Health Association (JKVHA); Dr. Bilquees Jameela, Vice Chairperson, JKVHA; A.M. Mir, Executive Director, JKVHA; Dr. Saleem-Ur-Rehman, Director, Health Services, Kashmir and A.G. Mir, IGP, Kashmir spoke about issues relating to awareness, enforcement and monitoring strategies needed to control the use of tobacco in the State.
Dr. Ravinder Kumar, Technical Officer (Tobacco Control), Govt. of India, made a Power Point Presentation to provide an overview of “National Tobacco Control Programme” of the Govt. of India and the result of its implementation in J&K. A documentary on the damaging effects of the tobacco use was screened during the function.
Dr. Abdul Majid, HoD, Community Medicines, SKIMS, presented a formal vote of thanks.
Also present on the occasion, among others, were N. A. Khan, Chief Commissioner, Bharat Scouts and Guides, J&K; Roma Wani, Honorary General Secretary, State Red Cross Society, J&K; and G. N. Mir Lasjan, Social Activist.
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