India: Teachers Get Training to Help Students Kick Tobacco Habit

Source from:  The Times of India 01/11/2016

Against the background of more and more teenagers in the age group between 13 to 14 years getting addicted to tobacco, a state level workshop was conducted in the city to educate school and college teachers about the ill effects of tobacco consumption.

About 40 school and college teachers participated in the workshop conducted at the Madurai Institute of Social Sciences on Thursday.
They were given insight on various forms of addictions which school students nowadays indulge in.

Based on a survey conducted by professors at the Madurai Institute of Social Sciences, it was found that tobacco consumption was more prevalent in the Madurai east block. A tobacco product called 'Ganesh tobacco' was known to be popular among youngsters.

Assistant Professor of Social Welfare at Madurai Institute of Social Sciences P Ramasamy said, "In Madurai east block village, it was found that more youngsters were indulging in tobacco consumption owing to peer pressure. More and more youngsters are finding the need to be identified with their peer group due to which they get addicted."

Youngsters are also lured by attractive tobacco packets which tempt them to consume it. The survey also revealed other forms of addiction like inhaling whitener and ganja consumption.

Many school students who are not regular at schools are particularly exposed to addiction like smoking and other forms of tobacco consumption. "There is also a lack of awareness on the control of tabacco consumption," said Ramasamy.

The main motto of the workshop was to shed light on control measures on tobacco consumption to school and college professors who can thereby advise students on the same.

"We advise school and college teachers to involve students with meditation which can help divert their mind. Also, various supplements like 'nicorate' which is a form of chewing gum helps the person addicted with tobacco to divert his/her mind," he added. Enditem