World No Tobacco Day: Hundreds Take Out Rally In Odisha’s Berhampur, Pledge To Spread Message

Berhampur: More than 800 people took out a rally in Berhampur city to observe the World No Tobacco Day on Friday and pledged not to consume tobacco.

The rally, organised by the Rotary Club Berhampur Central, was participated by youngsters, morning walkers, general public, members of Rotary Club and Lions Club and doctors.

Besides abstaining from tobacco consumption, they took pledge to prevent use of tobacco to protect the environment. They also promised to send this message to the society.

Eminent physician Dr Narayan Mishra flagged off the rally at MKCG Medical College ground in the presence of renowned ophthalmologist Prof BNR Subudhi, endocrinologist Dr P Ravi Kumar, educationist and social activist Asha Mishra, Dr Pravati Mohapatra, Simanchal Barik, Director, Physical Academy, Berhampur and others.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Mishra said India accounts for 1.5 million deaths of more than 8 million deaths due to tobacco use in the world every yea. “Tobacco use can affect any organ of the body. Inhalation form of tobacco affects mostly respiratory systems causing COPD, lung cancer, hypertension, coronary artery disease. Chewing form is mainly associated with mouth cancer. This addiction problem can be well tackled with the help of specialised doctors and deaddiction centres,” he added.

A short participative workshop was conducted to spread the awareness against tobacco consumption. The participants spread messages on the theme of No Tobacco Day for 2024, “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference”. It is a global campaign led by the WHO to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use.

The workshop and rally were organised by the Rotary District 3262 in association with IMA, NCCP, ICS and Physical Academy of Berhampur.