PUDUCHERRY: Highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco and advocating effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption, the Medico-Social Services Wing of JIPMER hospital on Tuesday took up a signature campaign to make JIPMER a tobacco-free campus, on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day observed on May 31 .
Dr T S Ravikumar, director of JIPMER, inaugurated the event and released health education pamphlets to patients, the general public and staff of JIPMER. Dr J Balachander, medical superintendent, Dr Anita Rustagi, additional medical superintendent, V Chitraleka, social service officer, and other medical social workers were present at the event.
The use of tobacco kills 1 in 10 adults worldwide. 30% cancer deaths in India are due to tobacco. India accounts for the largest number of oral cancer patients in the world.
In the campaign supportive signatures were taken from members of JIPMER family. Patients and public were educated on benefits of tobacco-free campus. On May 31 programmes will be organized on effects of tobacco and passive smokers, health risks, better ways to quit smoking and how to adopt a healthy life style.
Videos on tobacco and health risks will be shown. An oath will be taken to make JIPMER a tobacco-free campus.