No Tobacco Day celebration in Delhi

As many as 12 leading schools from Delhi participated in a mega theatre performance on the subject of ‘Tobacco and Women’ at Navy school, Chanakyapuri on the occasion of ‘No World Tobacco Day’ last week. This noble thought of involving school students was the brainchild of the Indian Cancer Society, World Health Organization (WHO), and ministry of health, government of India.
Carmel Convent, Air Force Bal Bharti, Army School, Tagore International, Navy School, Convent of Jesus and Mary, Blue Bells and DPS Gurgaon were some of the participating schools.Dr. Jagdish Kaur, Jt Secretary, ministry of health & family welfare, Vineet Gill-Munish, Head, WHO (Tobacco Control), Renuka Prasad, Jt Secretary, Indian Cancer Society and Jaya Murlidharan, head, Navy Wives Welfare Association comprised the panel of judges who not only appreciated the efforts of these school students but also the ideas they came up with. The skit by Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, was ranked first and DPS, Gurgaon was adjudged second. Also present on the occasion was Ruma Purkayashta, principal, Navy School, Chanakyapuri. Speaking on the occasion, Jyotsna Govil, additional secretary, Indian Cancer Society, Delhi said, “Increasingly tobacco companies are targeting their campaigns at young women. The idea behind this annual event is to create awareness amongst senior school students and spread the message that, ‘Tobacco is not cool’.”
Vineet Gill-Munish was quick to add, “Women comprise about 20% of the world’s smokers. Advertisers are also targetting them to sell their products. This is quite a dangerous trend. Tobacco-related diseases pose the greatest risk to the lives of those who are addicted to smoking.”
Since schools in Delhi are closed on May 31 owing to summer vacation, when ‘World No Tobacco Day’ is celebrated world over, this event was held early so as to engage all the school children.
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