The one-day workshop to caution against perils of tobacco consumption and increase awareness held by the Health Department here on Tuesday did not go in vain. During an interactive session after the inauguration, cancer specialists, senior oncologists and senior officers of various departments expressed their views. Important suggestions and useful information was also given.
Health Minister Dr Narottam Mishra said that free treatment of cancer will start in 10 selected district hospitals from March 15. Chemotherapy will also begin in 5 hospitals. Mishra said that as a result of leadership of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, this campaign will also meet with success like Beti Bachao Abhiyan. Principal Secretary Health Praveer Krishna said that Panchayat office-bearers will also be associated with the campaign. Cooperation of organisations like Red Cross is also being sought.
Founder of Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital and senior journalist Madan Mohan Joshi said that awareness against cancer is increasing day by day. At personal level, every person can counsel people around him and prevent the disease.
Controller Food and Drug Administration DD Agrawal said that directives have been given to Chief Medical and Health Officers to keep watch over sale of tobacco in restricted areas and take action against violators of law.
Principal Secretary Technical Education Sanjay Singh said that only horrific ads as warning are not enough for tobacco control. Works should be undertaken to highlight dangers of tobacco in a better way through consultation with message and communication experts. Specialist of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi and others also informed about cancer prevention and treatment at the workshop.
Director General of Police Nandan Dube informed that regular monitoring of implementation of cigarette and Tobacco Products Act 2003 is undertaken. Section 4 of Tobacco Control Act prohibits cigarette smoking in public places.
Under Section-6 sale of tobacco products to adolescents or by them within 100 yards of educational institutions is prohibited. Dube informed that addiction destroys generations, therefore, it must be controlled.
He stressed the need for joint efforts to discourage people against addiction. The DGP described this event as important in sensitizing people against ill effects of addiction.
Dr DC Gupta informed that 10 lakh people die of tobacco-induced diseases in the country every year. Cancer harms every part of body. Food Safety and Standards Act-2006 is also under implementation along with other laws.
These laws need to be implemented strictly. At panel discussions, 6 points were discussed. This session was conducted by Commissioner Health Pankaj Agrawal while Director Health Dr Sanjay Goyal proposed a vote of thanks.
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