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Youth participation in anti-tobacco activities will lead towards a positive social behaviour change in the society: Dr Hugar

Bengaluru,  National Service Scheme (NSS) Program Officers and volunteers took oath under ‘Pledge for Life - Tobacco Free Youth’ campaign to stay away from tobacco and also encourage others to stay away from this deadly addiction at the NSS workshop. Directorate Technical Education Karnataka organised the workshop for NSS Program officers and volunteers on 4th March 2020, while University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru organised the workshop on 5th March 2020.

Karnataka Regional Directorate of NSS and State NSS Cell of Department of Youth Empowerment & Sports, Government of Karnataka in collaboration with Narayana Health and Sambandh Health Foundation are rolling the campaign in entire Karnataka. Many activities are planned under this campaign such as rallies, street plays, pledge taking, poster competition, debate competitions etc, where youth is participating.

Dr. Manjula B. from Narayana Hrudayalaya and Voice of Tobacco Victims Patron said, “I see the sufferings , mental trauma our patients and families go through. Tobacco alone is responsible for 90% of oral cancers. We, as doctors, are treating and counseling patients but if the initiation is stopped, this will prevent many teenagers from falling prey to these highly addictive tobacco products. Prevention will yield better results compared to the treatment. I am glad to see youngsters are taking leadership to do anti-tobacco activities.”

‘Pledge for Life - Tobacco Free Youth’ campaign is inspired by Honourable President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind and supported by Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This campaign focuses on preventive strategies for youth to abstain from using tobacco and discouraging others also from doing so. This campaign is currently rolling out in states of Assam, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, U.P., Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi.

According to the NSS Official, approximately 300 participants from 100 NSS units took part in these workshops. Students came to the workshop with anti-tobacco posters. Best anti-tobacco posters from the units were also rewarded during the Workshop.

These NSS workshops were important as one in every 3 males and one in every 10 females in Karnataka use tobacco. It is to be mentioned that more than 140 users die every day in the state due to diseases attributed to tobacco and more than 239 children are introduced to tobacco every day. Betel quid with tobacco, bidi and gutka are three most prevalent tobacco products in the State of Karnataka. According to the data, 23.9% adult population expose to second-hand smoke in the State.

Felicitated in the Workshop, Dr. Guruprasad M. Hugar, NSS Program Coordinator, Directorate Technical Education, Karnataka said “It’s a great initiative on a social cause of protecting our young generations from tobacco menace. Youth must be actively participating in anti-tobacco activities and these efforts will lead towards a positive social behaviour change in the society. Students should take pride in saying ‘NO’ to tobacco and other addictive substances if offered.”