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World No Tobacco Day 2006
Every year the World
No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is celebrated on the 31st of May across the
world. The global theme for this year’s WNTD is “Tobacco: Deadly in any form or Disguise”. The purpose of World No Tobacco Day 2006 is
to encourage countries and governments to work towards strict regulation of
tobacco products.
The main objectives
of this year’s WNTD were:
 To raise awareness about all forms of tobacco:
DEADLY IN ANY FORM. Cigarettes, pipes, bidis, kreteks, clove cigarettes, snus,
snuff, smokeless forms like gutka, khaini, paan masala with tobacco etc, cigars;
To raise awareness about all types and names
and flavours; DEADLY IN ANY DISGUISE. Mild, light,
low tar, full flavour, fruit flavoured,
safer, natural, harm-reduced… they are all deadly;
To raise awareness about the need for strict
regulation and encourage its implementation.
All tobacco products
are harmful and addictive and thus the absence of clear information deprives
even well intended people the ability to make healthy choices. The truth
about tobacco products can empower people to improve their own health, as
well as the health of their families, friends, and others in their community.
On the occasion of
World No Tobacco Day a national level workshop was organized in New Delhi by the leading
consumer organization, VOICE, in collaboration with WHO and the Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare. The
workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, Hon’ ble Union
Minister of Health & Family Welfare.
Shri P. K. Hota,
Secretary MOH&FW; Mrs. Alka Sirohi,
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs; Mrs. Bhavani
Thyagarajan, Joint Secretary, MOH&FW and Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chief
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon, Escorts Heart Institute & Research
Centre attended the workshop and addressed the participants.
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The Union Health Minister Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss lighting the lamp at the inaugural function of
WNTD 2006 at Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi
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This event brought
together various consumer groups, civil society groups from various states
and Government stakeholders to brainstorm on strategies for effective
implementation of the Tobacco Control Law and main areas of tobacco control,
where a road map can be developed for taking this initiative forward to all
the states.
During the inaugural
ceremony Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss also released
a book on tobacco cessation “Killing Me Softly” written by Mario Sequeira. The workshop was followed by a press conference
where Dr. Ramadoss, Shri P.K. Hota and Mrs. Bhavani Thyagarajan,
along with technical experts, addressed the media on the need for effective
implementation of the tobacco control law and stringent regulation of all
tobacco products.
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Other pictures of the Event
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Lamp lighting
by Mrs Bhavani Thyagarajan, during inaugural function on World No
Tobacco Day 2006 at India Habitat Center,
New Delhi.
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Participants
being addressed by the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss
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Hon’ble Union Minister releasing the book on tobacco
cessation written by Mario Sequeira during the
workshop
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Shri.
P. K. Hota, Secretary MOH&FW, addressing the
consumer and civil society groups
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 WNTD Award 2006
Theme WNTD 2005
Theme WNTD 2005
WNTD Award 2004
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