Awareness programme on ill effects of tobacco held

From A Reporter

SHILLONG, May 31: The Anthonian Youth Club (AYC), a non-profit student organization of St. Anthony’s in collaboration with District Non-Communicable Disease Cell (NCDC) and Office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, today observed the World No-Tobacco Day under the theme “Tobacco- a threat to development” where they also conducted an awareness programme on the ill effects of tobacco.

In his speech as the chief guest PS Dkhar, Deputy Commissioner East Khasi Hills District enlightened the students on the harmful effects of tobacco including all the people exposed to it.

He also urged the students to stand against the use of Tobacco in public places and to say no to any form of Tobacco as it is extremely harmful to health of the people.

 Dr.Robert Marak, Nodal Officer, NCDC and Father Saji Stephan, Vice Principal and Head of Value Education Department of St. Anthony’s College also spoke about the ill effects of tobacco on the human body leading to many forms of cancer and other diseases and urged the masses to avoid the use of tobacco and to stand against the selling of tobacco and tobacco products near schools and colleges.

The programme revolved around the poor implementation of the COTPA (Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003), in Meghalaya and urged students to be courageous enough to speak against the usage of tobacco in public places and also on the selling of tobacco near the schools and colleges

Various schools from the city also participated in the poster making competition on May 29, 2017 under the theme “Tobacco: The killer”.

In this competition the first prize was won by Malki Presbyterian Secondary School, the second prize by Seven Set School and the third prize was won by Laban Presbyterian Higher Secondary School.