: To ensure a conducive environment for reduction of tobacco consumption for improving public health, the People’s Cultural Centre (PECUC) in cooperation with the Coalition for Tobacco Free Odisha organised a public consultation here on Friday.
The objective of the programme was to create awareness among the people regarding the health hazards of tobacco and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), for the improvement of public health.
The speakers stressed on the multi-prong approaches, including stringent law as well as awareness among the masses to combat the tobacco consumption which is increasing alarmingly of late.
The children are the most vulnerable and they are getting addicted at a very early age due to easy availability and attractive advertisements, they observed.
On the occasion, former Union Minister and Baleswar MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi opined that stringent law was required and at the same time mass awareness among public on harmful effects of tobacco consumption was the need of the hour. He also asserted that as a people’s representative he would work a stringent anti-tobacco law.
President Zilla Parishad Narayan Chandra Pradhan emphasized on the capacity building of PRI members. Social activist Subasini Jena stressed on creating a penetrative awareness at the village level on tobacco control. Assistant Manager NCD (non communicable diseases) Mousumi Samal mentioned various diseases caused by tobacco and existing laws on tobacco control.
Secretary PECUC Ranjan Mohanty discussed various harmful health effects and about the COTPA. Also, all participants took a pledge administered by MP Sarangi to work for a tobacco-free society.
PECUC executive director Anuradha Mohanty presided while Ubachak Mohanty, member coordination, highlighted the objective of the programme.