Srinagar, May 31 (KNO): “While the government can facilitate efforts to reduce smoking, it is ultimately up to the public to make the decision to quit,” Director of the National Health Mission (NHM) Nazim Zia Khan said on Friday while speaking at an event to observe World No Tobacco Day.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Khan in his address, highlighted the ongoing initiatives by the health department to educate the public about the dangers of tobacco use.
"The health department has been consistently informing the public about the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco," Khan stated. "Every effort is being made to help smokers quit and to keep the younger generation away from starting."
He said World No Tobacco Day serves as a critical opportunity to educate people about the severe health risks associated with tobacco use and to promote collective efforts to reduce smoking rates. “Tobacco remains a major risk factor for deadly diseases like cancer, and addressing this issue requires a joint effort,” he stressed.
Director NHM said that while the government plays a facilitating role, in a democracy, people have the freedom to choose whether to continue smoking. “The government can highlight the dangers, but individuals must decide for themselves. We are making every effort to intervene and educate, hoping that even convincing one person to quit is a significant achievement,” he said.
When asked about the possibility of shutting down the tobacco industry, Nazim acknowledged that the industry provides jobs to many people. “We are not the final authority; it is the citizens who ultimately decide. Our role is to continually raise awareness,” he said. He also mentioned that the implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) has resulted in significant fines and enforcement actions.
Director of Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, speaking at the event, said that smoking often leads to drug abuse. "Nearly all drug abusers start with smoking, which makes them more susceptible to trying drugs," he said. He also highlighted the dangers of secondhand and thirdhand smoke, saying that it affects 50% of families.
"Secondhand smoke comes from burning tobacco products and exhaled smoke, while thirdhand smoke involves residual nicotine and chemicals left on indoor surfaces. These chemicals can be harmful when touched or inhaled,” he explained. “Cigarettes contain around 4,000 chemicals, with 200 being hazardous and about 60 known to cause cancer.”
Director Health said parents and teachers play a crucial role in keeping children away from smoking. He warned about the dangers of e-cigarettes and the unregulated sale of imported cigarettes that lack proper labeling and hazard warnings.
“A multi-pronged strategy is required to reduce cigarette consumption and mitigate its harmful effects,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Tobacco Control Cell under the Directorate of Health Services of Jammu and Kashmir organised a walkathon in Srinagar to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and promote a smoke-free lifestyle. Participants, mainly youth, carried banners and signs to spread the message about the dangers of tobacco.
The School Education Department in Kashmir observed May 31, 2024, as ‘No Bag Day’ to mark World No Tobacco Day, to raise awareness among the general public through roadshows, rallies, essay competitions, painting competitions, seminars and more.
The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) highlighted the theme for this year's World No Tobacco Day, 'Protecting children from tobacco industry interference', which underscores the importance of shielding youth from the influences of the tobacco industry.
Numerous events and seminars were organised across Jammu and Kashmir to educate people about the ill effects of smoking and tobacco use and to encourage cessation efforts—(KNO)