Senior Civil Judge and Member-Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority Srinivas Navale on Tuesday stressed the need for greater public awareness on the harmful effects of tobacco and called upon youth to not only stay away from tobacco products but also play an active role in educating society about their dangers.

He was speaking after inaugurating a programme organised to mark World No Tobacco Day at the S.S. Tegnir PU and Degree College in Kalaburagi. The event was jointly organised by the district administration, the Zilla Panchayat, the District Legal Services Authority, the District Health and Family Welfare Department, the District Tobacco Control Cell and the National Oral Health Programme.

Addressing students, Mr. Navale said that the government spends more than ₹1,700 crore annually on prevention, awareness and treatment of health problems caused by tobacco and nicotine consumption.

He observed that tobacco use claims more lives and it continues to be a major public health challenge in the country. Expressing concern over the growing prevalence of tobacco use among adolescents, he said that children aged 13-14, girl students and women are increasingly falling prey to smoking and tobacco consumption.

“Despite graphic health warnings on tobacco product packets, many people continue to ignore them,” he said and urged educational institutions and civil society organisations to intensify awareness campaigns.

Earlier, consultant with the District Tobacco Control Cell Sujata Patil delivered the introductory remarks.

District Programme Officer under the National Oral Health Programme Raju Rampure advised students to make a firm commitment to stay away from tobacco, smoking and other harmful habits to secure a bright future.

Principal of S.S. Tegnoor PU and Degree College Jyoti Tegnoor presided over the programme.

On the occasion, posters prepared by the Tobacco Control Cell were released to promote awareness against tobacco use.

Lecturer Renuka Hiremath, social worker Aarti Dhanshree, psychiatric counsellor at the District Hospital’s Tobacco Control Centre Manjunath Kambalimath, DEO Ravi Pujari and lecturer Anuradha S. participated as resource persons.