Pledge to lead life free of addictions in Udupi, week long campaign in M’luru

Pledge to lead life free of addictions in Udupi, week long campaign in M’luru

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 01, 2016: Chairing the inaugural function of the World No Tobacco Day programme and workshop for civic workers by the Udupi CMC and the hospital on May 31, Tuesday,  Psychiatrist at Dr A V Baliga Memorial Hospital Dr Viroopaksha Devaramane called upon civic workers to quit alcohol and tobacco to be in good health.

He said tobacco contains 4,000 harmful substances. "Forty types of chemicals in tobacco cause cancer. Smoking affects both smokers and passive smokers," he added.

Hospital Administrative Officer Saujanya Shetty said civic workers are an indispensable part of the society, as they help others live in a clean environment. "Due to work and mental pressure, the workers are into smoking and consumption of alcohol. Smoking causes about 25 types of cancers. If a person smokes one cigarette, his lifetime is decreased by 10 minutes," Shetty said.

Civic workers should focus on their health. Those who are addicted to smoking, must consult psychiatrists to stay away from the addiction, Shetty felt.

Udupi CMC Commissioner D Manjunathaiah said if a person takes to bad habits his entire family has to bear the consequences. Smoking snatches away peace of mind and longevity. All have to take pledge to lead a life free of addictions, he added. CMC President Meenakshi Madhava inaugurated the programme. Vice President Sandhya Kumari Dr Deepak Mallya and CMC Environment Engineer Raghavendra were present.

In Mangaluru, Week-long campaign :

The city is set to see a campaign to be carried out for a week simultaneously in Mangaluru, Kalaburagi and Mysuru. Flagging off the campaign at the Karnataka Bank’s head office, Karnataka Bank MD and CEO P Jayarama Bhat said, "Consumption of tobacco and related products leads to physical, social and economic problems."

A man consuming tobacco exposes himself to risk of untimely death, besides significantly affecting the lives of his dependents. He not only spoils his health, but also pollutes the environment. Every year, lakhs of people die due to tobacco usage. The bank has remained committed to welfare of society and in this direction has joined hands with the private FM radio channel in launching this campaign, he added.

Another programme : The Department of Public Health Dentistry, A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangaluru, in association with International College of Dentists, USA (Section VI) organised a programme to mark World No Tobacco Day on May 31, Tuesday.

On the occasion, Prof Agneita Arun, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, stressed on the ill-effects of tobacco usage and motivated the youth to stay away from tobacco products. Principal Prof Krishna Nayak presided over the function. A No Tobacco Day rally was organised.