Bhopal: Managing Director of National Health Mission, Dr. Saloni Sidana said that the tendency of tobacco consumption among youth is a serious problem. The values that children get in their childhood remain with them throughout their life. Running awareness campaigns in educational institutions is very important for tobacco control. Dr. Sidana said that NHM will run a comprehensive awareness campaign in collaboration with the Education Department for tobacco control in schools in the ‘Umang Program’. In the state level small working group meeting held on Thursday at NHM office Bhopal under the National Tobacco Control Program, the activities conducted, current status and future action plan were discussed.
MD Dr. Sidana directed that efforts should be made in departmental coordination to ensure effective implementation of COTPA (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act) and ToFEI (Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions) guidelines. He said that a scientific approach should be adopted to get rid of tobacco addiction and in accordance with the National Mental Health Policy, tobacco users should also be supported in the de-addiction campaign. Tobacco users should also be provided guidance through the wellness program of the AYUSH department. Wellness activities like yoga, meditation etc. will help in making one mentally strong and in getting rid of the tobacco addiction. MD NHM directed the TB control cell in the districts to coordinate with tobacco control programs. Along with this, he asked to do priority screening of tobacco users under the National Oral Health Program and National Cancer Control Program. Senior Joint Director Dr. Pragya Tiwari, Executive Director of Madhya Pradesh Voluntary Health Association Mr. Mukesh Kumar Sinha and officials of state level small working group of various departments were present.
