Qazigund, May 31: The NSS Unit and Department of English at Government Degree College (GDC) Qazigund, in collaboration with Chairman Tehsil Legal Service Committee Qazigund, organized a program to commemorate World No Tobacco Day on Friday.
The Chief Guest on the occasion was Anjeet Singh (Judicial Magistrate Munsiff Court Qazigund and Chairman Tehsil Legal Service Committee Qazigund). The event aimed to shed light on the harmful effects of tobacco use, with the theme for the year 2024 being “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference.”
The program commenced with introductory remarks presented by Principal Prof. G. R. Verma, who welcomed the chief guest and other dignitaries. In his address, the Principal underscored the detrimental impact of tobacco on health, elaborating on the harmful effects of nicotine and explaining how it contributes to severe health issues. Prof. Verma passionately urged students to refrain from tobacco use and to embrace healthy, progressive lifestyles that would enable them to become better citizens.
During the event, the guest speaker, Adv. Amir Hamid Wani, extensively discussed the risks to health and well-being posed by tobacco consumption. He likened smoking to a drawn-out form of self-destruction and emphasized that refraining from tobacco consumption is both a moral and religious obligation. Through examples from recent cases of tobacco and drug abuse, he spoke about the terrible effects that this addiction can have, underscoring its adverse impact on youth and its associated socio-economic challenges.
The students actively participated in the program, with Izhan Wani, Jasir Wani, and Ifrah Nazir delivering speeches highlighting the detrimental effects of tobacco on both the physical health and social lives of young people.
The Program Coordinator, Prof. Nehad Kaniz Fatima (HOD. English), also deliberated on the harrowing statistics regarding tobacco consumption and spoke about this year’s theme “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference,” highlighting the targeted advertisements that often lead children and youth into this addiction.
Prof. Aufaq Ahmad Zargar (HOD Computer Science) and Prof. Rameez Ahmad Shah (HOD. Environmental Science) also urged the students to desist from tobacco and other harmful practices. The event concluded with all participants pledging to abstain from tobacco and inspire others to do the same. By raising awareness and educating youth about tobacco’s dangers and the tactics employed by the industry, the program aimed to empower them to make informed health decisions and protect children from tobacco’s harmful influence.
Later, Prof. Showkat Ahmad Malik, NSS Programme Coordinator and Head of the Education Department, spoke about the detrimental effects of tobacco, emphasizing that tobacco is harmful, becoming a burden for entire families and having severe impacts on youth. The pervasive use of tobacco disrupts household harmony and poses significant health risks, particularly to younger generations. He urged students and NSS Volunteers to become aware of the dangers of tobacco, to actively avoid it, and to act as community volunteers advocating against its use. Prof. Malik also presented the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude and calling for policy changes at both government and institutional levels to combat the targeted marketing of tobacco to young people, striving to eliminate this menace.
