Seven days Anti Tobacco Campaign by Desh Bhagat Hospital and Dental College

By 121 News
Chandigarh June 02, 2020:-Desh Bhagat hospital and Dental college started a seven days "Anti Tobacco & Nicotine Campaign" as per the theme of World Health Organization this year i.e. protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use. . The activity is being organized through virtual medium.

Under the campaign, a special programme has been designed to sensitize the youth , which includes ill effects of consumption of tobacco and any form of intoxication be it hukka , Smoking cannabis, E-cigarette , clove cigarettes, bidis  or directly chewing tobacco, Smoking cocaine, hashish etc . Students are being taught that Tobacco contains over 70 unknown harmful chemicals like tar, carbon monoxide , oxidizing chemicals , metals , radioactive compounds, which harms every organ of the body . The students are being asked to share their views in the form of posters and messages, said Dr.Varinder Singh, advisor to the Chancellor .

Chancellor, Dr. Zora Singh said, this year due to pandemic COVID-19 it becomes necessary for us to quit this habit of smoking, as it directly affects the respiratory, circulatory and immune system. To get saved from this deadly pandemic, we need to increase our immunity and consumption of tobacco or any type of intoxication can worsen the effects of COVID-19.

He further apprised about the Tobacco Cessation Center (under Oral Pathology Deptt)in Desh Bhagat Dental College Mandi Gobindgarh to aid smokers to wean off smoking. 

Pro Chancellor, Dr. Tejinder Kaur said, Desh Bhagat University is regularly running such awareness campaigns to sensitize the youth. She added, "As part of the campaign launched by the Punjab Government against drugs, Drug de-addiction cum Rehabilitation center was established at Desh Bhagat Hospital in February 2020.  40 Beds have been set up at drug de-addiction and rehabilitation center.