The no-smoking pledge ceremony across all health and educational institutions in Kashmir is a step in the right direction that will come a long way in keeping the people, especially the youth, at bay from getting involved in tobacco and smoking practices which have nothing but health hazards. Sensitising students, employees and the general public on the ill effects of tobacco consumption and smoking is the need of the hour so that our institutions are made tobacco-free. Such programmes should be often to spread awareness in public, especially the youth, against the ill effects of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what the World Health Organisation (WHO) is doing to fight against the use of tobacco and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations. Nearly 1.3 million deaths are recorded in the country because of the use of tobacco and the cost to the economy resulting from health complications from its use amounts to one percent of GDP. So, there is a dire need to contribute to protecting the present and future generations regarding the devastating health consequences due to tobacco as well as the social, environmental and economic scourges of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke. Tobacco is killing us and our planet; it is a threat to our environment.
No-smoking pledge a much-awaited step
