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It’s time to say good bye to tobacco:- Yuva Parliament 

Chandigarh: July 28, 2007:- “It’s no more cool and hip to smoke or consume tobacco, the perception of the youth about tobacco is changing.” This is what a majority of youngsters agreed on during an event titled “Yuva Parliament.”  In a “Burning Brain Society” and “Chandigarh Administration” supported activity, the youngsters of the region gathered today at Government Museum Auditorium under the banner of “We Volunteers,” for a debate and discussion session on tobacco.

 The activity, inaugurated by the Chairperson of Burning Brain Society, Mr. Hemant Goswami, started with a movie show on tobacco control and was followed by discussion and debates on various issues relating to tobacco and the possible solutions. Mr. Hemant emphasised about the need to seriously consider the option to phase-out tobacco as a consumer product. Director-Tourism, Mr. Vivek Atray who was the special guest of honour said that the image of Chandigarh has seen a big boost after Chandigarh became a smoke-free city. ‘We have provided a perfect model to the country and will ensure that this initiative is sustained to provide better and healthier living conditions to all,” Mr. Atray added.   

Sushma and Rekha, school students from a Haryana village participated in the debate to apprise their urban counterparts about the problems faced in rural areas. They pointed out that while the awareness about dangers and lethal consequences of tobacco was growing in urban areas, people in rural areas remain ignorant of the consequences. Actually, tobacco consumption has been increasing in villages. They revealed that while there was a law which made mandatory to have warning on cigarette packs since 1975; there was none for Bidi’s, Hooka Tobacco and other forms of tobacco consumed by villagers. They pointed out that due to high level of illiteracy in villages, it was important that the graphic warning showing pictures of fatal effects of tobacco be printed on all tobacco products. “The skull and bones danger symbol too should be printed alongside as everyone can recognise it as a symbol of danger,” another participant Kanwaljeet emphasised.   

More startling fact came from young journalist Sangeeta Johal who quoted many international scientific papers to point out that tobacco depiction in movies was increasing the receptivity of youngsters towards tobacco. Sangeeta emphasised that movies are meant for entertainment and they must not turn into vehicles of commercial chemical addiction and death. 

Mr. Preet Arjun who sensitized the youngsters on deadly consequences of tobacco consumption and the industry influence, appreciated the efforts of Hemant Goswami and Chandigarh Administration for making the dream of smoke-free Chandigarh a reality. “We are fortunate and proud to be living in Chandigarh which has the distinction of becoming the first smoke-free city not only in India but in any third world country,” Ankush Kapur of We Volunteer added.  

Youngsters also debated about the reasons as to why tobacco should remain a legal consumer product. All gathered agreed that there were no compelling reason to allow such a deadly product to be marketed. Hemant Goswami of Burning Brain Society pointed out that smoking tobacco was not a constitutional right whereas breathing air free from any form of tobacco smoke is a recognised constitutional right under Article 19, right to life. “Since tobacco is neither a nutritious concoction nor a life saving drug so there is no reason to provide it any form of government or legal patronage,” Hemant added.   “It’s time to say good bye to tobacco” the youngsters resolved in a loud and unanimous voice. 

The Yuva Parliament concluded with an action plan wherein youngsters decided to undertake a month long reality check to keep a watch on the enforcement and compliance of smoke-free guidelines in Chandigarh. The reality check report shall be made public during the next session of the Yuva Parliament in August.

Mr. G. S. Channi, the renowned theatre personality and Mr. V. N. Singh, Director –Museum also participated in the event.

WATCH THE VIDEO STATEMENT

 This video is also available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kXC_DTro3k

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