DHSK launches anti-tobacco campaign across Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 1: On the directions of Director Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, an aggressive anti-tobacco campaign under the National Tobacco Control Program was launched on Saturday by Director Health Services Kashmir across Kashmir.
A spokesperson of DHSK said the anti-tobacco campaign was announced recently in a meeting under the chairman of the Director held regarding implementation of COTPA-2003 and Tobacco Cessation facilities.
While launching the campaign, the director directed all the CMOs, Medical Superintendents, BMOs and District Health Officers to successfully launch the campaign.
Dr Mushtaq in his message said that these programs will continue. He welcomed the initiative of the department and appealed all the CMOs, Medical Superintendents and BMOs to continue such programs throughout the year to succeed in minimizing tobacco use and work together for a healthy and society.
The director said that tobacco use is a health hazard that is a huge burden on society not only in terms of health but it also drains people economically as well as socially and mentally.
Dr Mushtaq requested the general public not to use tobacco products in order to help save themselves, their families and society at large.
In this regard, various programs were held across Kashmir hospitals. Once such program was held at CMO office Srinagar where DHO Srinagar, Nodal Officer ICUs DHSK, spokesperson DHSK Dr Mir Mushtaq, Nodal Officer of various schemes besides other health officials were also present.
On the occasion, CMO Srinagar and DHO Srinagar stressed on the need of campaign against tobacco and said it is a health hazard and drains people socially and economically.
The CMO said counseling for addicts is available in hospitals and counseling facilities have been extended in other hospitals as well where addicts are taught how to avoid tobacco use.