New Delhi (PTI): Rallies, colourful parades by children of various schools, public lectures and awareness programmes marked the 'World No-Tobacco Day' in the national capital on Sunday.

The Directorate of Health and Family Welfare of the government of Delhi and Heart Care Foundation of India jointly organised a 'perfect health parade' to observe the day.

Delhi Health Minister Kiran Walia flagged off the rally in which representatives from Delhi government, MCD, NDMC and a number of NGOs took part. Tableaux depicting anti-tobacco messages were the highlight of the parade in which school- children and college students were present in large numbers.

"The people of Delhi will have to be freed of all diseases. For this, we will have to carry out massive public awareness drives," Walia said on the occasion.

The Indian Medical Association along with MCD also held a public awareness rally from Rajghat to the IMA House in ITO.

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah, Delhi Mayor Kanwar Sain and social worker Nafisa Ali took part in the rally which started with an oath -- 'We will not use tobacco and make our surrounding smoke-free'.

Later, lectures on harmful effects of tobacco was delivered by renowned medics in the IMA hall.

From this year's 'No Tobacco Day', all tobacco products in India will have to carry compulsory pictorial warnings on their packs highlighting hazards of its consumption.