May 31 to be anti-tobacco day in state
The state sports and youth department on Thursday declared that May 31 will be observed as Anti-Tobacco Day in Maharashtra.
While making the announcement, minister Padmakar Valvi said that the youth is the backbone of any society, and its healthy lifestyle is symbolic of the healthy existence of the society. Hence, he said it was the government’s duty to inculcate the importance of dissuading youngsters from consuming tobacco.
Emphasising on some statistical information, the minister pointed out that of 55 lakh people in the world who fall victim to cancer and other diseases caused by tobacco consumption, 10 lakh are Indians.
“Even in Maharashtra, the state of affairs with respect to the consumption of tobacco is grim and needs serious thought and rectifying measures. As many as three crore people consume tobacco in the state. Of these three crore, who form 30 per cent of the state population’s, 19 per cent are youth,” Mr Valvi said.
The minister explained that those who consume tobacco and related products such as cigarettes, gutkha, and other such addictive substances do not acknowledge the fact that they consume more than 4,000 poisonous chemicals.
Nicotine, which is the basic ingredient of tobacco, causes addiction and hampers the mind power of the consumer, disturbing concentration. Moreover, consumption of tobacco is an invitation for diseases such as cancer, heart attacks, paralysis and other sicknesses.
“We are taking the opportunity of observing May 31 as the Anti-Tobacco Day in order to campaign and ask youngsters to stay way from such bad habits. The scouts and guides, NCC, NSS and other youth organisations and NGOs will be participating in the programme,” Mr Valvi said.
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