BANGALORE: RajaRajeswari Dental College and Hospital in collaboration with Indian Dental Association and Narain Sewa Sansthan organised the Tobacco-Free India campaign for 30 days in 19 states covering 9000 kilo metres to educate public about the ill-effects of tobacco on their health. The campaign was flagged off by the former Indian Cricketer and President of Karnataka State Cricket Association Anil Kumble on Wednesday at ACS Convention Centre of RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Mysore Road. The event was followed by a rally of students of RR Group of Institutions accompanied by the campaign car for a short distance. Dr Sachin Sinha, assistant professor for oral pathology at RajaRajeswari Dental College and Hospital will be spear-heading the month-long campaign. The rally that started from Bangalore and covers Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Heath related speeches will be delivered in over 45 institutions.
AC Shanmugam, chairman of RajaRajeswari Group of Institutions, said, “ This campaign is a conscious attempt to educate people about the ill-effects of tobacco. We are delighted to take such initiative to spread awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco in a big way. “Indian Dental Association has been continuous interested in evaluating educating and eradicating Tobacco addiction. Dr George Thomas, president of Indian Dental Association, said, “Millions of teens today indulge themselves in tobacco consumption in some form or the other. Even though they are aware about ill-effects, people continue to consume tobacco. We as a government body are trying to reinforce facts about tobacco.”
The campaign highlights ill-effects of Tobacco being used in the form of Gutka, Smoking, and Chewing and in other forms. It will guide people on how to quit this habit and where to seek help if they are already affected.