Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 28 2009:
Manipur Voluntary Health Association (MVHA) organised a one-day State level media sensitization workshop on tobacco control at its office today.
All Manipur Working Journalists' Union President S Hemanta, Senior Advocate Dr Ch Narendra and Dr Th Bhubonchandra, Additional Director Health Services (Public Health), graced the inaugural function as chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively.
Speaking at the occasion, S Hemanta said that although medical science has been cautioning that tobacco consumption in any form is harmful to human health, most people do not give up this bad habit as it is still taken as a fashion.
On the otherhand, Government is unable to curb production and business of tobacco products totally as it involves huge tax returns, and also because of the involvement of large number of poor people in tobacco industry, Hemanta added.
He further suggested that people must start a radical campaign against tobacco on the lines of the campaign initiated against HIV/AIDS.
Dr Ch Narendra while speaking in the function narrated the beginning of tobacco consumption by human being.
He opined that individual realisation is must as tobacco consumption has become a deep rooted tradition everywhere.
In his presidential address, Dr Th Bhubonchandra said that politicians and mediapersons are the most important sections of the society which can sensitise the public.
Politicians must work with a commitment, he opined adding that mediapersons on the otherhand must open the eyes of masses with their constructive presentations on the possible harmful effects.
Expressing concern over continuation of smoking in public places even though it has been banned under COTPA-2003, Bhubonchandra said that higher echelons of the Government Departments must also take their office chambers as public places, but not as their personal rooms.
Questioning how tobacco products can reach the State from Myanmar side, Bhubonchandra opined that the State Government must look into the matter with all seriousness.
Later in the technical session, JNIMS Assistant Professor Dr O Joychandra spoke on the topic, 'Creating a tobacco free State'.
RIMS Radiotherapy Department Professor Dr L Jaichand also delivered lecture on the effects of tobacco use in the workshop.