Dumka DLSA awareness drive on World No Tobacco Day
Pioneer News Service, Dumka
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in Dumka launched a comprehensive grassroots awareness campaign across various blocks and panchayats of the district on Sunday. Driven by the resonant theme, ‘Say Yes to Life, Say No to Drugs’, the initiative was orchestrated under the direct guidance of DLSA Chairman Sudhanshu Kumar Shashi.
Spearheading the campaign, Para-Legal Volunteers (PLVs) appointed by the DLSA engaged extensively with rural communities, focusing particularly on villagers and students. The volunteers educated the gatherings on the severe health hazards associated with tobacco consumption, highlighting its role as a primary catalyst for life-threatening conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
During the interactive sessions, the PLVs presented grim global statistics to emphasize the gravity of the addiction. They informed the attendees that despite tobacco claiming the lives of over eight million people worldwide every year, consumption rates remain tragically high. The volunteers urged the youth to break this cycle and prioritize their health and future.
Beyond the severe health implications, the awareness drive also shed light on the legal and environmental aspects of the tobacco trade. The volunteers sensitized the public about the strict regulatory provisions outlined in the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. Furthermore, they drew attention to the significant ecological toll of the industry, noting that millions of hectares of arable land are destroyed globally each year for tobacco cultivation, which severely degrades the environment.
To ensure the anti-tobacco message left a lasting impact, the campaign concluded with the distribution of informative books and pamphlets among the youth and local villagers. According to the DLSA Secretary, such sustained, community-level interventions are vital for curbing the menace of tobacco addiction and fostering a healthier society.
