I am happy to learn that the Directorate of Health Services is celebrating “WORLD-NO TOBACCO DAY” on 31st May 2012.
Tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of death. The Global tobacco epidemic kills nearly sixty lakh people each year, of which more than six lakh people are only passive smokers. Unless we act, it will kill upto 8 lakh people by 2030, more than 80% of them in low and middle-income countries.
It is important for civil society to act and launch a campaign against tobacco and help people end their addiction and to support effective implementation and enforcement of tobacco control act. The aim of the World-No Tobacco Day 2012 is to create awareness in this regard and apprise the people of the ill-effects of tobacco use.
On this occasion, I appeal to the civil society, tobacco users and smokers in particular to quit tobacco and join hands to make Andaman & Nicobar Islands “Tobacco Free”.
Sd/-
Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh
Lieutenant Governor
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
