‘Tobacco consumption begins as a passion, affects overall health’

Tirupati : With a goal to educate the people on the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and encourage them to quit smoking, the World No Tobacco Day has been observed on Friday with the theme ‘Protecting children from tobacco industry interference.’

On this occasion, SVIMS organised an awareness meeting which was presided over by its Dean Dr Alladi Mohan.

Speaking on the occasion, SVIMS Director-cum-Vice-Chancellor Dr RV Kumar observed that tobacco business has become financially sound business in the world. Consumption of tobacco begins as a passion initially to which the people will become addicts and they could not stop their addiction. It affects them even psychologically which is affecting their overall health.

As a result, their lungs are getting damaged, they are more prone to cardiac diseases, paralysis, problems in blood supplies and cancers. It will even spread to other organs in the body and ultimately lead to death of the patient which will be a great loss to the families. To prevent such evil effects, people need to be educated extensively on the harmful effects of tobacco consumption, he said.

Dean and Head of Medicine department Dr Alladi Mohan said that as advocated jointly by the WHO and UN Environment programme the World No Tobacco Day is being observed on May 31 of every year. Smoking not only affects the health of smokers adversely, but also affects the people next to them. It also has a negative impact on the environment.

On the occasion, a debate with the doctors of the medicine department was held who dwelled at length on the adverse impact of tobacco consumption. Dr Harikrishna spoke on tobacco consumption, Dr Chandrasekhar on the ill-effects of tobacco consumption, Dr Sameeraja on this year’s theme, Dr Bhargav on steps to prevent tobacco consumption and Dr Manolasya spoke on the misleading advertisements of the tobacco industry.

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry department Dr Ganesh said that the mental condition of tobacco addicts is very alarming and advised people to be away from that.