Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 10 October 2025
The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) – State Health Society, beneath the Directorate of Health Services, A&N Administration, organized the state-level launch of the ‘Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0’ on 09th October 2025, on the TGCE auditorium. The occasion was aimed toward selling tobacco management consciousness amongst younger individuals and strengthening efforts to create a tobacco-free era within the Islands.
The programme was graced by Ms. Richa, Secretary (Health) / Mission Director – UTHM, because the chief visitor, and Dr. Suja Antony, Director of Health Services, because the visitor of honour. Senior officers from the Directorate of Health Services, college students, and school members from varied instructional establishments additionally attended the occasion.
In her deal with, Ms. Richa lauded the collaborative efforts of colleges, schools, and well being authorities in selling tobacco management. She emphasised the pivotal position of youth as change brokers in making a tobacco-free era, notably within the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the place consciousness and early intervention can have an enduring influence. She additionally highlighted the significance of Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) pointers in sustaining fully tobacco-free campuses.
The programme started with a melodious prayer tune by the scholars of ANM Training School, adopted by a keynote deal with from Dr. Satyajit Halder, Nodal Officer, NTCP, who drew consideration to the alarming statistics of tobacco use amongst youth and confused the necessity for stronger tobacco management initiatives by way of training and group participation.
To have interaction the viewers and unfold consciousness creatively, college students from Khalsa Public School and ANM Training School carried out ‘Nukkad Nataks’ (Street Plays) highlighting the dangerous results of tobacco and the ability of youth in constructing a tobacco-free society. The occasion concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Zeba Z, Social Worker, NTCP.
