‘World No Tobacco Day’ at AMU
Aligarh : The ‘World No Tobacco Day’ was observed at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) with campaigns to highlight the ill-effects of tobacco use on people’s health and on the environment.
At the Department of Radiotherapy, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), patients and their attendants were briefed about the adverse effects of tobacco consumption.
Faculty members and resident doctors explained how smoking and tobacco consumption in other forms cause cancer, heart diseases, strokes, lung diseases, diabetes, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
“Tobacco consumption increases the risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis” said Prof Shahid A Siddiqui (Principal, JNMC and Senior Consultant, Radiation Oncology) in a seminar held to observe the day.
He spoke on the increasing burden of diseases related to malignancies which can be prevented through awareness campaigns.
Speaking on this year’s ‘World No Tobacco Day’ theme, ‘Poisoning our Planet’, Prof Mohammad Akram (Chairman, Department of Radiotherapy) also recited his self-composed poem on how tobacco use leads to cancer and death.
Resident doctors presented a skit on adverse effects of tobacco use.
Dr Mohsin extended the vote of thanks.
Similarly at the Department of Periodontics and Community Dentistry, Dr Z A Dental College (ZADC) awareness programmes were held on the harmful effects of tobacco use and how the cessation of smoking and other tobacco consumption habits lead to substantial health benefits.
On the occasion, ‘No Tobacco Rally’ was flagged off by Prof Rakesh Bhargava (Dean, Faculty of Medicine). Prof R K Tewari (Principal, ZADC) led the rally from ZADC to the Duck point off the university with over 100 student and faculty members holding placards on harms of tobacco use.
Students and faculty members of the Dental College also organised a dental screening and treatment camp for prisoners at the District Jail, Aligarh and presented a skit on the deleterious effects of tobacco consumption.
Mr P K Singh (Jailor, District Jail, Aligarh) and his team joined to assist in the dental screening of around 247 prisoners.
Prof Vivek Kumar Sharma (Chairman, Department of Periodontics and Community Dentistry), Prof Neha Agarwal, Prof N D Gupta, Prof Afsha Bey, Dr Pramod Kumar Yadav and Dr Syed Amaan Ali helped conduct the dental screening and awareness programme.
At the Ahmadi School for the Visually Challenged, the ‘No Tobacco Day’ pledge was administered in which Dr Naila Rashid (School Principal) spoke on the harms of tobacco consumption.
Dr Bushra Abbasi and Dr Babloo Kuraisi conducted the programme.
A pledge was also conducted at the AMU ABK High School (Girls) against tobacco use to observe the occasion.
According to Dr Saba Hasan (School Vice Principal), “Teachers explained to students the harmful effects of tobacco products, while students created posters and performed a skit to raise awareness”.
Dr Farhat Parveen, Hina Parveen, Arshi Khanam and Rizwana Khatoon coordinated the campaign.
Shubham Kumar won the students poster-making competition on ‘Threat to our Environment’ held to observe the ‘World No Tobacco Day’ at the AMU ABK High School (Boys).
Mayank Kumar and Rehan Ahmad stood second and third respectively in the contest and Mohd Ayan Arif received the consolation prize.
“School students delivered motivational speeches and quoted scriptures against the use of tobacco. They also recited poetry to raise awareness “, said Samina Fazili (School Principal).
She also administered the ‘No Tobacco Day’ pledge.