Bhubaneswar, May 31: In view of propagating the useful message ‘Say no to tobacco’ the government of Odisha launched a long-term anti-tobacco camapaign from this World No Tobacco Day, marked on Saturday.
The state health department featured special Information and Education Campaign(IEC) materials for mass awareness especially to sensitize students, youths, vulnerable communities.
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi launched the campaign today, which will continue for a year.
While gracing the state –level program, the CM urged everyone to join the awareness campaign against intoxicants and drugs.
"I call upon all to take a resolution to adopt a life free from addiction. Say no to tobacco, say yes to life," he said.
The chief minister also stressed on enforcement to check the prevalence of drug abuse and adulterated liquor.
He said joint efforts should be made by Excise, Home Department and Narcotics Control Bureau to take strict action against the culprits.
"Efforts are being made to completely stop the sale of tobacco and drugs by empowering the STF.
A new excise policy will be formulated soon to crack down on all types of intoxicants," the Chief Minister underlined, hinting towards a robust and stricter Excise Policy to do away with Tobacco-related death.
On this occasion, a signature campaign was launched to involve citizens in pledging their support to a tobacco-free Odisha.
The department also released newly developed IEC (information-education campaign) materials to educate the public, particularly youth and vulnerable communities, on the risks associated with tobacco use.
The event also witnessed the digital launch of the ToFEI (Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions) web application, which will assist schools and colleges in self-assessing and reporting their compliance with national tobacco-free guidelines.
