Manipur today observed the World No Tobacco Day as is being done around the globe. The event is organized by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Manipur state branch in association with the Medical Directorate, National Health Mission, National Tobacco Control Programme, Voice of Tobacco Victims and Coalition against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) at the IMA complex, Lamphelpat. Speaking to the nation on the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said World No Tobacco Day was a day to “reaffirm our commitment” to reduce the menace of tobacco consumption. ”World No Tobacco Day reminds us of the harms associated with tobacco consumption and a day to reaffirm our commitment to reduce this menace,” he said in a tweet. The prime minister added that the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) “focus on stopping illicit trade of tobacco products is a laudatory effort that will help in minimising tobacco consumption”.
According to the WHO, tobacco causes over five million deaths world wide which is likely to increase to 8.4 million if the situation is not brought under control.