KANNUR: Concerted efforts to create public awareness about the health hazards of tobacco use and law enforcement to discourage smoking in public places were highlighted at a workshop on tobacco control here on Tuesday. The district-level workshop of stakeholders in tobacco control, including Health Department staff, police and excise officials and members of voluntary organisations here, stressed the urgency of driving home the anti-tobacco message to alert the public to the health hazards of smoking and other uses of tobacco. Collector V.K. Balakrishnan inaugurated the meet organised by the Kerala Voluntary Health Services, Kottayam, and the Academic and Technical Education Development Society, in association with the District Medical Office with the support of the Voluntary Health Association of India, New Delhi.
He said that manpower being one of the major resources of the country, the health hazards caused by tobacco and alcohol consumption would adversely affect the country's potential for immense economic growth. District Medical Officer P.C. Sreedharan said that social and economic issues of tobacco use were also important. The beedi industry of the region that once employed thousands of people was now thinking about rehabilitating its workers. Rehabilitation of beedi workers should also be part of the discussion of the health hazards. Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar said the police would extend all assistance to the anti-smoking campaign. Deputy DMO R. Ramesh and Nirmal Raj of ATEDS were among those who spoke at the workshop.
Source: The Hindu, Dated: 17.03.2010
He said that manpower being one of the major resources of the country, the health hazards caused by tobacco and alcohol consumption would adversely affect the country's potential for immense economic growth. District Medical Officer P.C. Sreedharan said that social and economic issues of tobacco use were also important. The beedi industry of the region that once employed thousands of people was now thinking about rehabilitating its workers. Rehabilitation of beedi workers should also be part of the discussion of the health hazards. Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar said the police would extend all assistance to the anti-smoking campaign. Deputy DMO R. Ramesh and Nirmal Raj of ATEDS were among those who spoke at the workshop.
Source: The Hindu, Dated: 17.03.2010
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