New Delhi/Health Live
The Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI) organised a Programme on 30th May 2019 at 11.30 A.M., on the eve of “World No Tobacco Day”, at the Paintal Memorial Golden Jubilee Auditorium, VPCI. Shri Praveen Sinha, National Professional Officer, WHO was the Chie Guest of this Programee. Dr Manoj Kumar Khanna, Principal, Ramjas College; Dr Vibha Singh Chauhan, Principal, Kirori Mal College; Dr Simrit Kaur, Principal, Sri Ram College of Commerce; Dr Vipin Aggarwal, Principal, Sri Aurobindo College; all from University of Delhi, were the Guests of Honour for the Programme.
Prof. Raj Kumar, Director, VPCI, told that every year, on 31st May, the WHO and global partners celebrate World No Tobacco Day. The aim of this annual campaign is for raising awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form. He said that India was one of the first few countries to endorse the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2004. The Institute established a Tobacco Cessation Clinic (TCC) in the year 2001 with the support from World Health Organization and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. Further, the TCC, VPCI was upgraded in the year 2009 as Resource Centre for Tobacco Control. He also informed that a telephone-based free-of-cost “National Tobacco Quit-Line Services” (NTQLS) runs under the aegis of VPCI with financial support from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India with primary aim to provide counselling to stop use of tobacco in any form. The NTQLS programme was launched and inaugurated by Shri J.P. Nadda, Honorable Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India on 30th May 2016. The NTQLS is accessed through a toll-free no. 1800-11-2356 and it has received over a lakh phone calls since inception. Nearly 30% quitters have so far benefited with the NTQLS. These services are provided from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on all days except Monday. The three years of sincere and dedicated works of the NTQLS were even appreciated by the Ministry, which subsequently started three regional satellite centers at Guwahati, Mumbai and Bangalore recently.
The Guests of Honour spoke on the social, economic, physical aspects of tobacco products use and its effects on human health.
Shri Praveen Sinha, the Chie Guest of this Programme appreciated almost two decades of devoted works on Tobacco Control Programme by the Institute; which is being mainly looking after by Prof. Raj Kumar since year 2001 to till date. He also spoke on various ongoing and future programmes of WHO-India on Tobacco Control Programme.
The National Tobacco Quit Line Services (NTQLS) team performed Nukkad Natak on anti-tobacco use theme and dance performances during the programme. The Quitters (through NTQLS) were shared their quitting process stories and urged the audience to keep away from tobacco use. The Quitters were also felicitated. The Institute also felicitated to all the NTQLS team members for their sincere services. The Programme ended with vote of thanks by Dr B.K. Menon, Dept. of Pulmonary Medicine, VPCI.
