In connection with ‘World No Tobacco Day’, a day-long inter College/School Seminar on Tobacco Control was held at Government Women College, M.A Road Srinagar on Tuesday.The function was organized by Voluntary Health Association of India and J&K Voluntary Health Association (J&KVHA) in collaboration with Government College for Women M.A Road, Srinagar.Chairperson, J&K State Social Welfare Board, Prof. Dr. Nirmal Gupta, was the chief Guest on the occasion,Presenting welcome address on the occasion, the Principal of the College, Prof. Shaheena Altaf highlighted the aims for organizing the awareness programme on the topic and ill effects of use of tobacco products.Among others, Executive Director, J&KVHA, Mr. A.M Mir, State Secretary Indian Red Cross Society, Mr. M.S Rather, renowned poet Zarief Ahmad Zarief, G.M Mir Lasjan, prominent citizens besides students from various educational institutions of the valley attended the seminar.
Addressing the gathering, the speakers highlighted the ill effects of use of tobacco and tobacco products. They unanimously stressed for blanket ban on sale and use of tobacco and tobacco products in the State so that younger generations are saved from hazards of tobacco and other tobacco products.Prof, Dr. Nirmal Gupta enjoined upon students to take active participation to eradicate tobacco menace from the State. She called for organizing more and more awareness camps in the educational institutions ensuring more participation of students, saying that they could play effective role in creating awareness among masses. “The people should made aware about the harmful effects of use of tobacco products so that they desist themselves from using tobacco products”, she added.
In the inter college/school seminar students of different educational Institutions threw light upon the topic and appealed the people in general and youth in particular to contribute their best for the eradication of tobacco menace from the State.On the occasion, Rehan Hamid of Burn Hall School got first position, Aqib Manzoor of Government Degree College, Anantnag 2nd and Fida Hussain of Government Degree College, Sopore got 3rd positions respectively, while as, Faheem Ashraf of S.P Higher Secondary School and Ms. Mehvish of Govt Women College M.A Road were adjudged 4th and 5th respectively.Certificates were also given away among other participants.A booklet titled “World No Tabacco Day” was also released on the occasion.