World No Tobacco Day at AMU
Aligarh : Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) faculty members and students are calling attention to hazards of using tobacco products and how the tobacco industry is adding unnecessary pressure to scarce resources and fragile ecosystems through ‘World No Tobacco Day’ awareness programmes on the theme, ‘Tobacco – Threat to our Environment’.
At one such awareness camp on ‘Hazards of Tobacco on Individual and the Environment’ held at the OPD of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT), Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC) to observe the ‘World No Tobacco Day’ and the nation-wide, ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’; Prof Rakesh Bhargava, Dean, Faculty of Medicine raised concern on the increasing use of tobacco and urged people to quit tobacco consumption.
He was speaking to over 200 patients and their attendants at the camp.
“Tobacco consumption is increasing cases of oral cancer and other health issues in the Country,” remarked Prof Shahid A Siddiqui (Principal, JNMC).
Prof Mohammad Aftab (Chairman, Department of ENT) discussed the early diagnosis and treatment of cancers caused due to tobacco use.
Prof Haris M Khan (Medical Superintendent) sensitised people on the health issues related to tobacco consumption and the impact of tobacco production on the environment.
Dr Mehtab Alam and Dr Saadia Islam explained ways to quit tobacco consumption.
In the awareness programme of the Urban Health and Training Centre, Prof Saira Mehnaz (Chairperson, Department of Community Medicine) remarked: “Not only does tobacco consumption kills millions of people every year, the tobacco industry also leaves a long trail of destruction on our environment long before tobacco and nicotine products are even sold”.
“This yearly observation informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies and what needs to be done to claim our rights to healthy living”, she said.
Dr Ali Jafar Abedi explained how chewable forms of tobacco cause different oral cancers and how children, exposed to seeing their elders consuming tobacco may also get addicted.
Dr Ameer Ayyub discussed the toll of tobacco use on finances.
Dr Ayasha described harms of all tobacco consumption forms including passive smoking.
Dr Barkha talked about the harms of tobacco on various body systems.
Dr Chirag and Dr Bhanu deliberated ways to quit tobacco use.
Dr Danish, Dr Althaf and Dr Simon urged people attending the programme to make Aligarh a tobacco free district.
A ‘No Tobacco Day’ pledge was also administered with over 40 patients and their attendants.