Every year, on 31 May, World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, mark World No Tobacco Day (WNTD). The annual campaign is an opportunity to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form. The theme of World No Tobacco Day 2020 was “Protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use”
VHAI objectives for World No Tobacco Day 2020
- Creating awareness among public on the hazards of tobacco through awareness, poster competitions, etc.
- Promotion of health through effective mass communication and sharing of information material to capacitate local level community groups and create consciousness across all strata of the society.
- Interface with Government Departments for ensuring proper implementation of tobacco control laws.
Telangana
- The Commissionerate, Health and Family Welfare, Government of Telangana with support from VHAI and Indian Dental Association (IDA) conducted a webinar on theme of WNTD 2020. Approx. 200 registrations were received for the webinar and participants raised many queries which were answered by the VHAI team.
- With support from the Education Department, Government of Telangana, students were sensitized on the health harms of tobacco use. Poster competition was conducted on the WNTD theme to create mass awareness.
- VHAI team developed awareness poster on tobacco & COVID 19 which were shared with office of Commissionerate, Health and Family Welfare for the awareness in the State.
- Honorable Health Minister gave a message on the theme of WNTD 2020 and the progress made in Telangana state in implementing Tobacco Control Initiatives. He said “Telangana is firm in controlling the sale of ganja, gutka and other narcotics. Government makes acts/laws to safeguard the health of public but public also must take care of themselves by staying away from bad habits”.
- Indian players came together to spread awareness against tobacco use and its ill-effects. In their message, Former Indian International Cricketer VVS Laxman, Former Indian badminton player & Chief National Coach for the Indian Badminton team P.Gopichand, Badminton Player P.V Sindhu pledged to protect the youth of the country from the menace of tobacco products.
Uttar Pradesh
VHAI conducted a webinar on “Protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use” with support from Health Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh. More than 100 people participated in the webinar. Dr Suryakant, HOD Pulmonary Department, Dr Alok Kumar, State Nodal Officer, Mr Satish Tripathi, State Consultant, & Dr Chandravali Madan, Programme Officer, VHAI. Dr Alok Kumar, State Nodal Officer as the keynote speaker motivated the youth and talked about measures taken by State Government to protect the future generation. VHAI team developed awareness poster on Tobacco and COVID 19 which was released by the State tobacco control cell and shared with all districts for its adaptation. Team technically assisted State tobacco control cell, Government of UP on 01-06-2020 for the Facebook live session on Tobacco and COVID 19.
Odisha
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2020 in Odisha, VHAI conducted various activities to create mass awareness especially among the youth. Drawing competition was organized among a group of 50 girls. The winners of which were announced on May 31.
Signature campaign was conducted in Ganjam district where more than 30 girls took a pledge “To make their Village Tobacco Free”
VHAI developed IEC material on Tobacco use to create awareness. Hoardings were displayed on Tobacco and COVID 19 (as per Odisha Government advisory) outside Gram Panchayats office /village entry.
