Kick That Butt? IRCS, MCODS & Dist Admin to Observe ‘No Tobacco Day’ at Town Hall on 31 May
Kick That Butt! Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS)-Mangaluru; Indian Dental Association; ImpACT; District Tobacco Control Cell; District Health & Family Welfare (DHFW); Dakshina Kannada District, Mangaluru; Zilla Panchayat, Wenlock Hospital; Department of Public Health Dentistry; among others, will observe “World No Tobacco Day 2019” in Town Hall, Mangaluru at 10am on 31st May, 2019
Mangaluru : Every year, on 31st May, the World Health Organization (WHO) and global partners celebrate 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 focus of World No Tobacco Day 2019 is on “Tobacco and Lung Health.” The campaign will increase awareness on: the negative impact that tobacco has on people’s lung health, from cancer to chronic respiratory disease, the fundamental role lungs play for the health and well-being of all people. The campaign also serves as a call to action, advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption and engaging stakeholders across multiple sectors in the fight for tobacco control.
In order to create awareness about the ill-effects of smoking in DK/Mangaluru, the Indian Red Cross Society, District Tobacco Control Cell, District Health & Family Welfare (DHFW), Dakshina Kannada District, Mangaluru, Zilla Panchayat, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences-Mangaluru will observe ‘No Tobacco Day’on 31 May 2019 in Town Hall at 10 am.
Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Mangaluru Press Club, Dr Preetha C Shekar (District Consultant of District Tobacco Control Cell),
said, “Here are a few things you should know about smoking. When someone talks about smoking, the only fear that comes to mind is of lung cancer, bronchitis or emphysema. But did you know that smoking is powerful enough to affect almost every part of the body? What if we told you that your addiction to the nicotine stick has far bigger, even more dangerous, effects on your body? Here are a few often ignored reasons why you should kick the butt immediately- Smoking affects your bone health; Smoking makes your blood more sticky; Forget dry eyes. Smoking can lead to cataract; Tobacco’s toxins can damage the genetic material in sperm cells; Smoking causes wrinkles, even change skin colour; Smoking leads to bad breath, dis-coloured teeth, build plaque and tartar..; Smoking makes your body more toxic; Smoking adversely affects wound healing”
Later, Dr. Dilip G. Naik (Dean, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangaluru) said, “Lung cancer? Think bladder, breast, pancreas, stomach..Lung cancer is not the only cancer caused by smoking. Almost every part of the body can be affected. Your bladder, breast, stomach, pancreas, ovary, can get affected too. Smoking tobacco damages nearly every organ in the human body and it is one of the strongest cancer-causing agents. Cigarette smoking accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths. Tobacco use is associated with at least 15 different types of cancers; including cancers of the throat, mouth, lungs pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix. People who smoke are up to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than nonsmokers, and the risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked. Smoking also causes most cases of chronic obstructive lung disease, Strokes and also ulcers in stomach”.
The “No Tobacco Day” programme will be graced by Judge A G Gangadhar- Senior Judge at District Court; Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil; Police Commissioner Sandeep Patil; CEO Zilla Panchayat Dr R Selvamani; MCC In-Charge Commissioner B H Narayanappa; Dr Surendra V Shetty- Pro-Vice Chancellor-MAHE, Mangaluru; and Rtn CA Shantharam Shetty-Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society-DK. A talk will be delivered by Dr Rajesh V- Associate Professor of Pulmonary Medicine, KSHEMA, Derlakatte, Mangaluru on the “Ill-Effects and Diseases from Tobacco” after the formal programme.
Praveen Kumar- District Surveillance Officer, Dakshina Kannada District, Mangaluru; B. Nityananda Shetty- Vice Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society, Dakshina Kannada District, Mangaluru; and Dr. Rajesh G, Professor and Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry,Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangaluru were also present on the dais during the press meet.