By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Despite the government initiating several measures to curb the menace of tobacco and other allied products, the tobacco consumption is increasing every year in the State.
“The scenario in Shillong is very bad as far as tobacco consumption is concerned and as per reports Meghalaya is ranked third among the north eastern states with over 65 per cent of tobacco users”, President of the Rotary Club of Orchid City Dr C Varghese said.
Dr Varghese was speaking at an awareness programme on ‘Say No to Tobacco’ at St Anthony’s College on Thursday. The programme was organized by Rotary Club of Orchid City, Shillong with the theme “Ignorance kills, awareness empowers”.
Stating that tobacco consumption is claiming 1 million Indians annually, Dr Varghese admitted that the dangers of tobacco consumption was yet to be acknowledged by many and added that only 20 percent of the students were being taught about the ill effects of tobacco in schools.
Referring to a recent statistics which stated that about 85 percent of teachers and 80 percent of students are addicted to tobacco, Dr Varghese said, “It is high time to create public awareness to make Shillong a tobacco-free city.
Meanwhile, Mawprem Legislator Manas Chaudhuri, who formally launched the awareness programme, said despite ban on smoking in public places, a tendency to break the law is prevalent in the country.
Stating that a person needs a strong will power to give up deep-rooted bad habits, he told the younger generation that this was the right time to cultivate good habits.
Principal of St. Anthony’s College, Fr I war, while delivering the welcome address, urged students to say no to tobacco and also help others to do so by being a part of the programme.
The chief guest also gave away prizes to the winners of the poster competition.