In a first-of-its-kind initiative to observe the occasion of World No Tobacco Day and contribute to cutting down the overall distribution and consumption of tobacco in the Gurgaon, Paras Hospital conducted a candle march to raise awareness among the people.
More than 250 residents participated in the two-kilometer long march from Paras Hospital to Ardee City, with participants from health sectors, RWAs, NGOs and district authorities. They signed a petition to urge the government to stop the use and sale of tobacco products in the city for at least one day in a week.
Dr Neeraj Bishnoi, facility director, Paras Hospital, told City Spidey, “People stay in denial of the perils of tobacco use and smoking, particularly in urban areas. To add impetus to the campaign against tobacco consumption by the government of India and join hands to increase awareness on giving up this unhealthy habit, we are proposing shutting down of all cigarette and tobacco shops in Gurgaon once a week for a tobacco-free India by 2030.”
Bishnoi added, “With this prohibition on cigarette shops and vendors in the city, we aim to drive a never- before- seen mindset change among the general population along with a stern regulatory nod against smoking and tobacco consumption at the community level.”
Nearly 23.7 per cent of the deaths among men and 5.7 per cent among women (between 35–69 years) in India are due to tobacco-attributable illnesses, says a study published in the Indian Journal of Medical and Pediatric Oncology in 2012. India's tobacco problem is very complex in nature, with large scale use of a variety of smoking forms. Most of what is known about the adverse effects of tobacco is based on the smoking of manufactured cigarettes. In India, other forms of tobacco use are common such as flavored cigarettes, cigars, snuff, gel strip, e-cigarettes, “khaini,” gutka, paan masala and other types of chewable tobacco.
“In spite of the legislation prohibiting smoking in public places and the pictorial warnings on tobacco products, many educated people in our city continue to smoke and consume tobacco in public. I am glad to be a part of this initiative to observe no-tobacco day once a week,” said Akash Kumar, a 23-year-old college student.
“Tobacco leads to health issues and tobacco use kills nearly six million people worldwide each year, and one million in India. We just want sale of tobacco products prohibited across Gurgaon every Monday, which happens to be most stressful day,” said Chaitali Mehrotra, a resident of Ardee City.
