Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangalore (MD)
Mangalore, Jun 28: Tobacco Invention Initiative (TII), the centre of AJ Institute of Dental Sciences will launch 'TII Campaigns for Tobacco Free Kids' in the auditorium of AJ institute of Dental Sciences on the occasion of Doctors Day which will be observed on Tuesday July 1 at 9.30 am.
A workshop on 'Taining for Tobacco Cessation' will be carried out for 35 health professionals. The programme will be inaugurated by the chief guest Thulasi Maddineni CEO, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayath, AJ Shetty, managing director and Prashanth Shetty, vice president of Laxmi Memorial Education Trust will be the guest of honour.
Speaking to the media at the Mangalore press club, on Saturday June 28, Dr Vijaya Hegde, HOD of public health dentistry from AJ institute said, "A pilot programme will be launched in three private schools of the city, namely Cambridge, Yenepoya and Lourdes Central school. The school teachers and children will be trained in tobacco control activities to make their school and its environment tobacco free. The main aim is to discourage children from developing the habit. Both teachers and students can also help in implimentation of the section 6 of Control of Tobacco and Other Products Act (COTPA), which is prohibition on sale to and by minors and prohibition of sale around educational institutions."
"In Rajasthan, 68% tax has been implimented on tobacco products whereas in Karnataka it is only 18%. In the coming budget, the government should increase the tax on all the tobacco products in Karnataka," she added.
Dr Bharath Shetty, vice principal of AJ institute of Dental Sciences, Dr Shubhan Alva, vice president of Indian Dental Association, Karnataka State branch and others were also present.