Stop and ban tobacco! Hope A Thon held, more than 7000 people take pledge
3 min read
Mysuru: As part of World No Tobacco Day and to make Mysore Tobacco Free City in India, Bharath Hospital and Institute of Oncology in association with Mysuru Gym and Fitness Owners Association organised Hope-A-Thon (3 km walk and 6 km run ) at Kote Anjaneya Swamy temple near Mysuru Palace here on Saturday.
Hundreds of people including from various colleges took part in the event. Apart from walk and run, pledges were also taken from all the participants, college students and general public to make Mysuru Free from Tobacco.
Dr Prasad, DHO, Mysuru, Supriya Salian, Chairperson, CII Mysore zone, Dr BS Ajaikumar, Chairman, HCG Bharath Hospital and Institute of Oncology, flagged off 3km walk and 6km run. The event was conducted as part of World No Tobacco Day which is scheduled on May 31.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Prasad, District Health Officer said “Success of any man in this world is for living longer. In Many countries people are living for longer. In India the average lifespan is 68 years. Lifespan is decided by genetic factors, life style, habits, how we adopt, this factor determines lifespan. Tobacco is the main risk factor which are interfering in the life of Indians. Tobacco comes to around 18 percent to 20 percent of people; among the nearly 140 crores population in the country, 28 crores are addicted to tobacco and allied products. Every year 70,000 people dying due to tobacco related cancers”.
Supriya, Chairperson, CII, Mysuru zone who also spoke on the occasion said “Last two years have taught us more than ever about the value of small things in our life from the value of oxygen, to hospital bed, to what a virus can create. When we had the threat of the virus we did not think twice before locking our houses for two years, wearing masks for two years, not meeting friends and family. So we need so much more awareness of something as dangerous as tobacco and the harm that it creates. Let this be to reduce the pollution to improve our health not just for ourselves but also for our children tomorrow.
Stop tobacco and ban tobacco: Dr B S Ajaikumar, Chairman, BHIO said “Many cancer patients come in an advanced stage; 40 percent of them due to tobacco usage suffering from head and neck and lung cancer. We have to ban tobacco, in this regard we have written letters to the Prime Minister and also to all ministers but we have not got a reply which is all due to vested interest. Government needs revenue but they are least bothered about public health. Hence it is time to stop tobacco and ban tobacco. HCG took the initiative, Hunsur which is also called tobacco belt of India, encouraging the farmers for alternate farming for their livelihood. We want to ban tobacco and hospitals like HCG and BHIO can close cancer treatment and can do something else. Mysore should be number 1, we have taken petitions from more than 7000 people. Tobacco growing should be banned across the country. If this is done, our country’s health will improve and people can live longer and can be a model to the world”.
M S Harsha, President of Mysuru Gym and Fitness Owners Association who also spoke on the occasion said “Fitness is not the destination its way of life. To create fitness awareness and its importance among the general public we conducted a 6km run. Regular fitness will really help to keep health in good shape; hence I request all to devote some time towards fitness”.
Dr M S Vishveshwara, Medical Superintendent, Bharath Hospital and Institute of Oncology, Nirmala Krishna Murthy, COO, BHIO, Narayana Gowda, President, Hotel Owners Association were also present.
– Team Mysoorunews
Mysooru News
