India: Focus on public health on World No Tobacco Day

Source from:  The Hindu 05/30/2016

Various government institutions and social groups have decided to come together to observe May 31 as World No Tobacco Day with the aim of improving public health by reducing tobacco consumption.

Though the international theme for the year is 'Get ready for plain packaging,' the focus within the State is also to ensure tobacco-free educational institutions," Paul Sebastian, Regional Cancer Centre Director and Vice-President of Tobacco-Free Kerala, told a press conference here on Friday.

Plain packaging refers to standardising the packaging of cigarettes by removing branding elements such as colours, imagery, corporate logos, and trademarks from the boxes.

The RCC Director said prominence would be given to images that show the health hazards of smoking while the name of the company will be printed in a smaller and mandated size.

The programme to be held at Regional Cancer Centre will be inaugurated by Minister of Health and Family Welfare K.K. Shylaja.

A panel discussion on "Tobacco-free educational institutions in Kerala: experiences, challenges and future plans" will be held. Enditem