Over 10 lakh people are dying every year in various tobacco-related diseases in the country, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak while addressing a State-level meeting marking the World No-Tobacco Day here on Saturday.
Besides focusing on strict implementation of the rules against tobacco use, Nayak also underscored the need for widening awareness programmes on this. “Only awareness can prevent tobacco-related deaths. Though the State Government has declared tobacco sale as illegal, it needs to be strictly implemented,” said Nayak.
Health and Family Welfare Principal Secretary Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra said that as per the WHO’s recommendation, a proposal would be placed for increasing tax on tobacco products in the State to curb their consumption. Besides, Minister Nayak felicitated Twin City Commissioner of police Dr RP Sharma for the support of the police in the anti-tobacco drive.