Date:03/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/03/stories/2008100355170500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Anti-smoking rally organised

Correspondent

VIZIANAGARAM: MP B. Jhansi Lakshmi flagged off an anti-smoking rally at RTC Complex here on Thursday.

The rally, organised by the Medical and Health Department, was aimed at creating awareness among public about the harmful consequences of smoking and also educate people on the provisions of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act-2003 and Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules 2008 that came into force from Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, she said that an 11-member coordination committee with Joint Collector as Chairman was constituted to monitor strict implementation of the Act.

Awareness camps

She asked officials to vacate shops near hospitals, educational institutions and prayer halls and conduct awareness camps at weekly market places. She said that 34 tobacco-related diseases were identified and some 10 lakh people affected every year due to smoking. Collector G. Ram Narayana Reddy, District Medical and Health Officer Ch. Mahesh participated.