Auto rickshaw anti-tobacco campaign launched in Delhi

Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel today launched an anti-tobacco campaign under which 100 auto drivers in Delhi would engage with passengers and spread awareness against the dangers of tobacco consumption.

Patel flagged off an auto-rickshaw 'rally' as part of efforts to encourage abstinence from tobacco consumption to commemorate this year's World No Tobacco Day.

As part of the 'rally', more than 100 auto drivers will be motivated to engage with commuters to drive the campaign for at least a minimum period of one month in different locations covering entire Delhi, an official statement said.

For mass awareness, the messages would be carried on the hood of the autos, it said.

Speaking at the event, Patel said that this year's World No Tobacco Day theme was 'Tobacco and Heart Disease', which focuses on the impact tobacco consumption has on the cardiovascular system.

Here we must not forget that it is not limited to cardiovascular diseases, but tobacco use is also attributable to cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Tuberculosis, Diabetes and other non -communicable diseases," she said.

'World No Tobacco Day' is a key advocacy tool for creating mass awareness on dangers of tobacco use among general public, the minister said.

We must ensure additional efforts are being made to provide support to enforcement of the tobacco control laws in the country, she said.