Agartala 16 August, 2024: In a significant move to curb tobacco use in Tripura, a state-level workshop titled “Adoption and Implementation of the WHO-FCTC Article 5.3 Policy Guidelines in Tripura” was held today. The event was a joint initiative of the Tripura government’s Department of Health & Family Welfare and the National Law University, Tripura.
The workshop was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Mrs. Jayanti Debbarma, Chairperson of the Tripura State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, who lit the ceremonial lamp. The event took place at the conference hall of the National Law University, Tripura, and was attended by esteemed guests, including Mr. Kiran Gitte, IAS, Secretary of the Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Tripura, Prof. (Dr.) Yogesh Pratap Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the National Law University, Tripura, Dr. Srilakha Roy, President of the Voluntary Health Association of Tripura, and Dr. Shivam Kapoor, Technical Advisor for STOP, India & Global Monitoring, Vital Strategies, Southeast Asia.
Prof. (Dr.) Yogesh Pratap Singh highlighted the alarming global death rate due to tobacco consumption, noting that approximately 6 million people die each year due to tobacco-related causes. He emphasized that 80% of tobacco users reside in developing countries, with a significant portion being youth. In Tripura, the high prevalence of tobacco use among both men and women makes the adoption of WHO-FCTC Article 5.3 policy guidelines particularly critical.
Mr. Kiran Gitte, in his address, reiterated the state government’s commitment to reducing the mortality rate and addiction caused by tobacco use. He assured that the Department of Health & Family Welfare will make every effort to implement these policy guidelines effectively. He also pointed out that the number of tobacco users has been gradually decreasing in several developing countries, and it is essential to develop policies and ensure active participation from civil society to counter the negative impacts of tobacco addiction on both individuals and society. Mr. Gitte called upon the youth to stay committed to avoiding addiction, noting that while many wish to quit, about 76% find it difficult to do so.
Dr. Srilakha Roy, President of the Voluntary Health Association of Tripura, urged the public to refrain from using tobacco products, including those containing zarda, during social events.
The technical session featured addresses by Prof. (Dr.) Yogesh Pratap Singh, Dr. Shivam Kapoor, Mr. Sujit Ghosh, Project Manager (Tobacco Control) of the Voluntary Health Association of Tripura, Dr. Sanjay Rudrapal, State Project Officer of the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) under the National Health Mission, Dr. Moutushi Dev, STCPC State Consultant of the National Health Mission, and Advocate Abhimanyu Dutta, STCPC Legal Consultant of the National Health Mission.
The workshop concluded with a press release from the Secretary of the State Health & Family Welfare Society, emphasizing the need for widespread awareness and stringent policy implementation to combat tobacco addiction in Tripura.
