Each year, May 31 is observed as World No Tobacco Day. This year the city-based G. Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial (GKNM) Hospital joined hands with the Coimbatore Cancer Foundation (CCF) to launch its Children Against Tobacco (CAT) programme.

CAT is a student movement to work towards a tobacco-free environment. According to this programme, a student body will be formed in individual schools. Along with the guidance of the teachers, students of the school will create the necessary awareness on the evils of tobacco use in their school premises, and also near their homes.

Speaking to the Covai Post after launching CAT, Mercy Ommen, Correspondent of Stanes Higher Secondary School, said, “Through this programme, we are trying to teach the children the ill-effects of tobacco usage, while they are young. We have plans of hosting theme-based competitions, exhibitions, and awareness programmes in the future in schools in order to sensitize our children.” In partnership with the CCF, CAT will conduct a survey within a radius of 100-metres around each school campus to prevent, prohibit, and ban any kind of tobacco consumption and sale.

Also on occasion of the World No Tobacco day, at the GKNM premises a mobile float with photo booth was launched. The general public was allowed to take pictures and selfies holding place cards with messages that conveyed the ill-effects of tobacco usage.

S. Somusundram, Deputy Director of Health Services, said “In India, tobacco consumption is responsible for half of all cancers in men, and a quarter of all the cancers in women. India is also ranked high for the incidence of oral cancer in the world due to tobacco consumption. The World Health Organization (WHO) has predicted that tobacco deaths in India will cross one-and-a-half-million by 2020. On occasion of World No Tobacco Day, we must all pledge not to use tobacco in any form. This can help us stay healthy and it can also create a healthy world.” Mr. S. Somusundram said.