Two percent decline in tobacco consumption in JK: Atal Dullo

SRINAGAR, JULY 19:  Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo today said tobacco consumption has become the world’s leading single agent of death even though it is preventable. He said that consumption of tobacco in our society is not a traditional practice rather it is an addiction.

“As far as our State is concerned the rate of consumption of cigarettes or any kind of tobacco has declined by 2 to 3 percent in recent years but that is not the achievement till it reaches to zero percent,” he added.

He was speaking at the State Level Inception cum sensitization workshop for stakeholders on effective implementation of COTPA, 2003. The workshop was organized by the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir.

During the workshop, Director Health Kashmir, Dr. Kunzes Dolma also highlighted the importance of awareness and sensitization programmes to educate people about the bad effects of tobacco or cigarettes on health.

Underscoring the need for a complete ban on the use of tobacco and its allied products in the State, Commissioner, Food Safety, Vinod Sharma sought overwhelming support of the society to deal with the menace. Various other speakers deliberated on the subject and threw light on the ill effects of tobacco on human health. They sought strict implementation of the ban on tobacco and other related products.

The workshop was attended by Principals of Medical Colleges, resource persons, educationists, and students.