The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : No-Tobacco Day observed

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Tuesday, Jun 02, 2009
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No-Tobacco Day observed

Special Correspondent

Participants burn mounds of tobacco near Munroe Statue

— PHOTO: S. THANTHONI

Awareness: A rally organised as part of ‘World No Tobacco Day’ on Anna Salai on Sunday.

CHENNAI: Doctors, nurses, non-governmental organisations and activists in the city observed ‘No tobacco day’ by organising rallies on Sunday.

Mayor M. Subramanian and film director P.Vaasu flagged off rallies held in different localities. About 150 persons, including members of the Indian Medical Association, Chennai South and nurses from Andhra Mahila Sabha – Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital, participated in the rally held on Kamarajar Salai.

The medical fraternity took out a “death procession” for cigarette to create awareness about the health hazards of smoking. The rally was flagged off by IMA Sate president R. Gunasekaran. About 500 persons participated in the rally on advocacy for tobacco health warnings organised by the State Tobacco Control Cell and the Directorate of Public Health (DPH). After flagging off the rally, Mr.Subramanian told media persons that there was a ban on sale of tobacco products within 100m of the 313 Corporation-run schools in the city. Participants burnt mounds of tobacco near Munroe Statue from where the rally began. About one lakh signatures were collected as part of the ‘smoke free Chennai’ campaign launched by DPH on Monday. Five different types of posters explaining the dangers of consuming tobacco were released on the occasion on Sunday. A huge board was also put up on the Marina near the Labour Statue and beachgoers were encouraged to express their support by signing on it.

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