Khanapara, May 31: Tobacco kills millions of people every year, destroys the environment and harms human health through the cultivation, production, distribution, consumption, and post-consumer waste. In a bid to create awareness against tobacco use, the PQH School of Education and Department of Sociology, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) in association with Indian Dental Association (IDA), Assam Branch, and Arohan Foundation organised an orientation program here on Tuesday at the university campus on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day.
The orientation was followed by another event of burning effigy of tobacco products to symbolise anti-smoking. On the same occasion, awards were distributed to the winners of All Assam Essay Writing Competition.
Prof. G. D. Sharma, Vice Chancellor of USTM, made the opening remarks at the orientation programme. Eminent dignitaries who have addressed the orientation include: Dr. Ravindra Singh, Immediate Past President IDA, Head office, Dr. Seema Borah, Arohan Foundation, Prof. (Dr) Mitali Bora, Principal, Regional Dental College, Guwahati, Dr. J. Barman, President, IDA, Assam State Branch, Dr. Jaydip Purkayastha, Expert from BBCI and Dr. Anupam Deka who delivered a special talk on “Tobacco Addiction: Awareness Action.” All the dignitaries provided valuable insight on the importance of a tobacco free world. The programme was also graced by Dr RK Sharma, Advisor, USTM, Dr BK Das, Pro VC, USTM.
Dr. Ravindra Singh, Past President IDA, emphasized on why the tobacco products should be heavily taxed to achieve a tobacco free society. Dr J Barman, President, Indian Dental association, Assam State Branch, spoke on how tobacco products such as cigarette, gutkha etc. cause immense oral damage and how this can be prevented.
Dr. Jaydip Purkayastha, the keynote speaker of the event, provided an elaborate understanding on tobacco products in terms of their lethal composition, threat to health, environment as well as their socio economic impact. Dr. Anupam Deka highlighted global impact of tobacco use and provided a detail understanding on health data related to tobacco.
Earlier, the welcome address was made by Dr Gayatree Goswamee, Dean, PQH School of Education, USTM and she highlighted the theme of the event. The theme for the event was “tobacco-threat to our environment”.
