PANJIM: National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) India has applauded the decision of Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to declare government offices and buildings ‘Tobacco Free’.
In a letter written by Union Health Secretary, Preeti Sudan to Chief Secretaries of all State and Union Territories, Sudan has asked the authorities to make government buildings/offices tobacco free in order to protect public health in their States.
The letter also states that the Union Ministry is willing to provide technical support to States to implement the policy.
NOTE general secretary Dr Shekhar Salkar stated, “It is an appreciable step taken by the Health Ministry. Tobacco use is the leading single preventable cause of death worldwide. India is the third largest tobacco producing nation and second largest consumer of tobacco world-wide. The secondhand smoke from cigarettes poses a risk to non-smokers, children and pregnant ladies as well. The decision will protect people from the menace of tobacco.
He added, “The decision will help curb the proliferation of smoking as well as use of other tobacco products in the State.”
According to the global adult tobacco survey 2016-17 (GATS-2) the numbers of tobacco related deaths per day in India are 3,700, which are almost 154 per hour.
“Tobacco use is highly detrimental to health. It is a major risk factor for cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes, chronic lung disease, stroke, infertility, blindness, tuberculosis (TB) and oral cavity etc.
