SHILLONG: The World No Tobacco Day was observed at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Science (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong on Wednesday.
The programme was started with a street play by the interns of Social Work from Martin Luther Christian Unversisty (Shillong). Followed by a pledge against tobacco by the Director of the institute Dr. DM Thappa and all the doctors, staff including patients/attendants present during the programme.
Similar Awareness Activity was also organised at Police Bazar at 11:30 am.
The programme was jointly organised by the Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology and Community Medicine at NEIGRIHMS.
Meanwhile, ‘Anti-Tobacco Day’ was observed at DRDA Hall in Tura on May 31. The programme was organised by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in collaboration with the District Administration, West Garo Hills.
Speaking on the occasion, Legal Aid Counsel, DLSA, Debajyoti Baruah highlighted the legal prohibition of consuming of tobacco and penalties in contravention.
He also emphasised on the objectives of Anti-Tobacco campaign which ensures effective protection to non smokers, protects children and young people from being addicted to the use of tobacco, considers tobacco control strategies and plans for legislation with special attention to risk groups such as pregnant women and children and discouraged the use of tobacco and impose progressive restrictions and take concerted action to eventually eliminate all direct and indirect advertisement, promotion and sponsorship.
A procession was also held from Deputy Commissioner’s office via Hawakhana, Ringrey, Auditorium and back to the same venue for the official function.
Others present in the programme were Oncologist, Tura Civil Hospital, Dr. Jebi Asheeka Marak, District Session Judge cum Chairman, DLSA, A M Ripnar, District School Education Officer, S Saha, members of Tura Traders Union and teachers and students from various schools.
The NEHU Rotaract Club (Rotary Club of Orchid City) in collaboration with the Research Scholars’ Forum of NEHU had organised an Anti Tobacco Campaign in aid of World No Tobacco Day at the University’s campus in Shillong.
An awareness march and distribution of pamphlets and posters was carried out.
