ANTI-TOBACCO DAY CELEBRATED

If this could change the life of a single person, that was the idea behind the awareness campaign organised by  Pharm.D students on May 31^st at Al-Shifa Hospital.  The programme was arranged in front of the O.P Block as this could attract more crowd. Though we planned for a small programme, with the co-operation and support of the hospital authorities and Dilip sir, we were able to transform it into a bigger one.

Tobacco products are the products that are made from the leaves of tobacco. They contain a psychoactive chemical ingredient, nicotine. The use of tobacco is one of the main risk factor for a number of chronic diseases like cancer, lung disease, cardiovascular disease etc.  A number of countries have legislations restricting the advertising, promotion, sponsorship, use of tobacco products etc.

We show cased many posters, charts, placards, and illustrations showing the serious and harmful effects that tobacco causes. We explained to the public how the tobacco (cigarettes and bidis) they use could affect their body and also the people that surrounds them.  With the help of medical representatives from Cipla we also arranged sample distribution of the product ‘Nicotex’, that is used for smoking cessation.

The fact that startled us was that, most of the people above 40 yrs of age, who came to the hospital were smokers.  Another interesting thing that striked us is that among them half were willing for smoking cessation but were clueless on how to do it?  We gave these people tips for smoking cessation and also free samples of the product Nicotex.  We started with a single person in mind but ended with countless people saying ‘no’ to Tobacco products.

“The best way to stop smoking is to just stop - no ifs, ands or butts.”

-          Edith zittler

MAMMEN PAUL

3^rd Year Pharm.D