Tobacco: A Threat to Development

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
In a show of solidarity for Kerala’s public health through tobacco control, the World No Tobacco Day 2017 will be jointly observed here on 31 May.
In line with the World Health Organisation’s theme for this year, the World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) 2017 State Level Organising Committee with Government and civil society partners are coming together to understand and highlight how tobacco is a threat to development in Kerala.
The WNTD Organising Committee has been formed under the leadership of Kerala Health Services Department, National Health Mission-Kerala; Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology and Regional Cancer Centre.
Kerala Minister KK Shylaja Teacher will inaugurate the state-level observance event to be held at Bhagyamala Auditorium, Chandrasekharan Nair stadium, 12 noon. MLA VS Sivakumar will preside over.
Mayor Thiruvananthapuram Corporation VK Prasanth and State Mission Director, NHM-Kerala Keshvendra Kumar are the Chief Guests. Director of Health Services Dr RL Sarita will deliver the welcome address.
Dr KR Thankappan, Emeritus Professor, Achutha Menon Centre will make the theme presentation.
Aisha Baker, Division Councilor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and Dr Ramadas K, Medical Superintendent, RCC will be among the other speakers. A video film on tobacco harms will also be released on the occasion.
The inaugural event will be preceded by a panel discussion on the topic ‘Tobacco Use in Kerala: From Public Health to a Development Agenda’ in which speakers from Health, Police and medical fraternity will participate. a magic show by magician Harris Thaha highlighting the harms of tobacco use will be another attraction of the day.