BHU holds event on eve of World No Tobacco Day

Varanasi: The Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU organised a special programme on Saturday in the run up to World No Tobacco Day 2026, which is observed on May 31.

The event was held under the theme "Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction" to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and strengthening mental health services.

Addressing the gathering vice-chancellor, Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, emphasized the need to move beyond symbolic observances and develop sustained, community-level awareness campaigns against tobacco consumption, particularly among school children and young people. He said that tobacco, whether smoked or chewed, causes severe health consequences, including cancer, and often serves as a harmful coping mechanism that conceals underlying psychological vulnerabilities.

Prof. S. N. Shankhwar, director, IMS, lauded the Psychiatry dept for its dedicated efforts in advancing patient care and strengthening mental health services. Prof. Sanjay Gupta, dean, Faculty of Medicine observed that while smokers constitute nearly 10 percent of the population, users of smokeless and chewing tobacco account for nearly 20 percent.