On the eve of World No Tobacco Day, the National Service Scheme (NSS) in collaboration with Drug De-addictionand Rehabilitation Cell (DDRC) and NCC contingent of the Government Degree College, Baramullajoined the global community in observing World No Tobacco Day on May 31, 2023.
In this direction, the NSS, DDRC, and NCC of the college organized an insightful talk focusing on the detrimental effects of tobacco and the importance of adopting a tobacco-free lifestyle. The event was arranged in line with the global health initiative to educate and inspire students, encouraging them to make informed decisions for their well-being.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Malik, Department of Psychology of the host college delivered a mesmerising talk on ‘Grow Food, Not Tobacco’. The session provided engaging and informative discussions on the harmful consequences of tobacco on personal health and society as a whole.
The talk shed light on various forms of tobacco use, such as smoking and chewing tobacco, and their direct association with life-threatening diseases like cancer, respiratory disorders, and cardiovascular conditions.Throughout the talk, Dr. Malik emphasized the significance of embracing a tobacco-free lifestyle and shared effective strategies for quitting tobacco use.
Practical advice was given on managing nicotine cravings, seeking support from healthcare professionals, and utilizing available resources for cessation. Students were encouraged to take personal responsibility for their health, equipping themselves with knowledge to make informed decisions regarding tobacco use.
The event witnessed active participation from students, faculty members, and staff of the college. It provided a platform for open dialogue and discussions surrounding the challenges of quitting tobacco and the importance of creating a supportive environment for individuals seeking to quit.
Attendees were motivated to support and uplift each other on their journey towards a tobacco-free life.Earlier, Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Farooq Rather, principal of the college formally welcomed the speaker and participants of the event.
In his inaugural address, he deliberated upon the devastating effectsof tobacco and striving towards a tobacco-free future. Prof. Rather asserted that World No Tobacco Day serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to combat the global epidemic of tobacco-related diseases.
He also stressed that it is our collective responsibility as a community to unite in our efforts to protect the health and well-being of individuals and communities. “As an educational institution, we have a responsibility to educate our students about the dangers of tobacco use and empower them to make informed choices for their own lives and the society they will contribute to in the future”, said Prof. Rather.
Dr. Mir Irfanullah, Convener, DDRC of the college presented the concept note and conducted proceedings of the session. Dr. Syed MasaratGeelani, Program Officer, NSS (Unit–III) and HoD, Urdu expressed gratitude to the speaker for delivering an inspiring and informative talk. She also commended the students for their enthusiastic involvement, contributing to the success of the event.