Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Aizawl: Mizoram Health Minister Lalrinpuii wants every home in the state free of tobacco. She made the call during the 13th State Anti-Tobacco Day in Aizawl. Cancer rates here are the highest in India. The state fights a grim battle. "Since smoking and consumption of tobacco are major causes of cancer, every family in Mizoram must take steps towards maintaining tobacco-free households," Lalrinpuii said.
Tobacco kills. The government intends to boost its campaign using funds collected through cess. These new initiatives aim to ramp up the ongoing fight against addiction. Mizoram has marked September 11 as State Anti-Tobacco Day since 2013, holding the title of the first state to observe the occasion.
The habit starts early. Data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey-4 shows 58 percent of students aged 13 to 15 use tobacco products. Older adults show similar habits. The 2016-17 Global Adult Tobacco Survey found 58.7 percent of residents aged 15 and up use tobacco, ranking the state second behind Tripura. A fresh round of that adult survey is happening now.
Comments