Aligarh: The Rural Health Training Centre of Jawan and the Urban Health Training Centre, working under the Department of Community Medicine of JN Medical College at Aligarh Muslim University organized health talks at their respective centres under the guidance of the Chairman of the department, Prof Saira Mehnaz, to observe the World No-tobacco Day.

At the RHTC, Dr Ankit Singh, Medical Officer, Incharge, Community Health Centre of Jawan, flagged off an awareness rally from Jawan Centre Point Chauraha to OPD registration premises of CHC, which treaded the path with banners and placards carrying slogans like ‘Tambakoo Ka Sevan Band Karo’.

Dr Sana Nawab, a Senior Resident, urged the local people to leave the consumption of tobacco. Dr Shubham Upadhyay presented introductory remarks about how the use of tobacco affects the overall health of the community. He discussed the theme of the day, “Protect Children from Tobacco Industry Interference”.

Dr Ameer Ayub highlighted the financial implications of using tobacco and the hardship that the family of tobacco users goes through.

Dr Chandramouli Mithra gave insights into how to gradually quit tobacco and how to consult medical personnel to seek their help in overcoming tobacco addiction.

The Interns made posters and charts depicting the ill effects of tobacco on health.

At the UHTC, Dr M Yasir Zubair explained how consumption of tobacco-containing products leads to unnecessary expenses and deterioration in health.

Dr Al-Hilal discussed the theme for the year ‘Protecting children from tobacco industry interference’ and explained how aggressive marketing of tobacco is targeting younger people to increase their sales.

The talk was followed by a Question-Answer session in which people were informed about how and where to seek help for addiction.

Dr Nazreen, Incharge, UHP Jamalpur extended a vote of thanks and informed that around 35 people attended the talk.