Not many ready to kick the butt

CHENNAI: Every year on World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) there are rallies, human chains and poster campaigns. This year was no different, although a little low key. This brings up the question — Are these activities just tokenism, or do they actually reach out to people, bringing some positive change in consumers and sellers?Though we are far from any definitive answers, trade bodies, NGOs and the healthcare industry did their bit to raise awareness about the ills of tobacco.Though the ‘No-Sell’ call given by the Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sankankalin Peravai did not evoke much response at the end of the day, they joined hands with Adyar Cancer Institute to promote awareness among small traders about the ills of passive smoking by forming human chains in Madhyakailash, Perambur and Tambaram. C Vallaiyan, president of Tamil Nadu Vannigar Sangangalin Peravai said, “Smoking or using tobacco in some form should not be viewed as an individual’s problem. It is actually society’s problem as it affects the socio-economic future of our society. All stake-holders have to join hands. This year we talked to our traders about the ills of passive smoking and how it can cause cancer and other health complications. Most bunker shops not only sell cigarettes but also provide matches or a lighter. The customer lights up and sends a smoke cloud right into the face of the shopkeeper, who becomes a passive smoker. So we have told the traders not to provide matches and to ask customers not to smoke near the shops.”Tamil Nadu People’s Forum for Tobacco Control (TNPFTC) and Mary Anne Charity Trust launched a ‘Stay Away’ campaign across the State, asking people from all walks of life to stay away from products manufactured by tobacco companies and to refuse surrogate sponsorships from tobacco firms.At a signature campign at the Marina, Cyril Alexander, of Mary Anne Chairty Trust, said, “This campaign has been specially organised to make the public aware that ten lakh people die every year from tobacco consumption. These tobacco companies have no moral standing to engage in any kind of corporate social responsiblity)activities. People from all walks of life should refuse to take sponsorships from them.” Apollo Hospital spread awareness about oral and lung cancers, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and chronic bronchitis, which are generally caused by smoking or use of tobacco in other forms. Brahma Kumaris conducted a pictoral expo on the ills of tobacco use at the Central Railway station.