Govt to rope in social workers in quit tobacco drive

Pioneer News Service
Ranchi

On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2026, the National Health Mission, Jharkhand, organized a state-level workshop-cum-orientation program. The objective of the program was to strengthen tobacco control activities, foster coordination among various stakeholders, and ensure collective participation in building a healthy and tobacco-free Jharkhand.

Shashi Prakash Jha, Campaign Director of the National Health Mission, Jharkhand, delivered a message of public awareness against tobacco by reciting an inspirational poem titled “Freedom from Smoke” (Dhuen Se Azadi). Through the poem, he urged the youth to stay away from tobacco and other intoxicants, and to play an active role in making society drug-free.

In his address, Jha stated that approximately 35,000 to 40,000 cancer patients are identified annually in Jharkhand, out of which 40 to 45 percent suffer from oral cancer. He emphasized that tobacco consumption is the primary cause of oral cancer, and that this challenge can be effectively controlled through timely awareness and preventive measures.

He further remarked that tobacco control is not merely a program of the Health Department, but a campaign that involves the entire society. To achieve the goal of a “Tobacco-Free Jharkhand,” it is essential to adopt a “Whole of Government” and “Whole of Society” approach, ensuring the active participation of the Health Department alongside Anganwadi workers, Sahiyas, ANMs, Panchayati Raj Institutions, the Rural Development Department, women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs), educational institutions, urban local bodies, community organizations, and the general public.

Describing dentists as the frontline warriors of the tobacco control program, Jha emphasized that every dental unit should be transformed into an effective hub for tobacco cessation counselling and behavioural change communication. He also stressed the importance of developing Ayushman Arogya Mandirs as robust centers for health promotion and tobacco cessation services.

Highlighting the pivotal roles played by elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies, teachers, youth organizations, Self-Help Groups, religious leaders, media representatives, and social workers, he asserted that transforming tobacco control into a mass movement driven by public participation is the need of the hour. He called upon the youth to adopt a tobacco-free lifestyle themselves and serve as sources of inspiration for society. It is imperative to actively engage schools, colleges, the NSS, NCC, Nehru Yuva Kendras, and youth clubs in this campaign.

Tobacco awareness programs were conducted in a total of 1,680 schools across the state. Additionally, 282 training sessions were organized in collaboration with the Police, Education, and other departments.

Across the state, 208,701 Tobacco Cessation Counseling (TCC) sessions were conducted, and 43,308 cases received pharmacotherapy. The event was attended by the District Dental Officer, AYUSH Medical Officer, Community Health Officers (CHOs), officials from the State and District Tobacco Control Cells, other officials from the Health Department, doctors, health workers, and representatives associated with various programs.

Attendees at the program included Dr. Ravi Rai (Sadar Hospital, Ranchi), Dr. Arpita Rai (Additional Professor, RIMS Ranchi), Dr. Rajiv Ranjan (Sadar Hospital, Khunti), Dr. Lal Manjhi (State Nodal Officer, NCD), and others.