Tuesday, February 22, 2011

67% IN J&K ARE PASSIVE SMOKERS: NGO

Jammu Feb 22 (Only Kashmir): A Non-governmental organisation (NGO) Voluntary Health Association of India- Jammu and Kashmir Chapter has called for strict implementation of Tobacco and Tobacco Products Prevention Act to reduce incidence of diseases caused due to consumption of tobacco in different forms.
According to VHAI Jammu and Kashmir tops the statistics of highest rate of passive smoking at 67 per cent, which is highest in India. The Association called for imposition of higher taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products to discourage smoking in the State.
Led by Chief organizer, A.M. Mir, the Association today met Speaker, J&K Legislative Assembly, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B.B. Vyas, Commissioner, Sudhanshu Pandey,Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal and several other senior bureaucrats and highlighted the need to enforce the law with full vigor in the State.
Thousands of people die of cancer and related ailments annually caused due to smoking of cigarettes and other tobacco products. To stop the high rate of deaths due to smoking, the Association called for launching mass awareness through debates, seminars and symposia in every nook and corner of the State.
The speaker and other senior officers, whom they met assured full cooperation of the administration in discouraging smoking to protect public health. They said smoking is a big health hazards which not only is responsible for large scale deaths but also incurs heavy economic loss to government as well as smokers.

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