Consortium For Tobacco Free Karnataka (CFTFN) Board Members and Associate withTobacco and Lung Health was Co hosted by NH and CFTFK Dr Devishetty, Chairman Narayana Health (NH) on World No Tobacco Day-2019.
‘A multi stakeholder dialogue on tobacco control’
The World No 9 Day 2019, was organised on Friday the 31st May 2019, from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm at Harold Varmus auditorium, 7th floor, Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Centre, NH Health City, Bommasandra, Hosur Road, Bengaluru – 560099
In this dialogue the following stakeholders were invited to participate; Tobacco farmers bidi workers, retailers, Central Tobacco Research Institute, The Tobacco Board, and Health Care Institutions, Civil Society Organisation will participate. Over 250 students from arts and science colleges, health care training institutes and civil society organisation participated in the dialogue. Former chief Justice of India Shri M N Venkatachaliah was invited to deliver the inaugural address. Due to unfavourable health condition he could not make it, however he sent his written message through mail. Following is an essence of his message. “Despite the compelling medical-data on the extremely deleterious effects of Tobacco Consumption on health and wellbeing of society, a cleverly contrived debate on the economic consequences of tobacco-farmers, Beedi – Workers and on the loss of revenue to the State is advanced. This debate is, in a non-trivial sense, symbolizes the hypocrisy of Governments and big business to beguile the public.”
Dr. Alex Thomas President of Association of Health Care Providers in India (AHPI) delivered the inaugural address. Dr Alex in his address mentioned it is the mighty tobacco industry that is responsible for the tobacco menace globally, The TI might look mighty like Goliath, but we must bring it down like David. Dr. Devi Shetty, Founder Chairman of Narayana Health delivered the keynote address. Dr Shetty in his address emphasized the need to protect children, He said, message on harmful effect tobacco must be taken to every school through creative audio-visual medium. Dr. Ramesh Bilimagga President of CFTFK delivered the presidential address. Dr Ramesh in his address said
There were two panel discussions. The first one was on ‘livelihood verses life’ The panel discussion was moderated by Mr. S J Chander, Secretary of CFTFK, Prof. Nayantara Nayak, Centre for Multi-Disciplinary Research, (CMDR) Dharward, Dr. Ranganath, consultant Pulmonologist of Narayana Health and Dr. I B Vijayalakshmi, vice present of CFTFK were the panellist. The other panel discussion on ‘Role of Law in protection of children’ was moderated by Mr. Shaikumar, General Secretary, Karnataka Associated Management pf Private School (KAMS) and an Executive Committee member of CFTFK. Mr Vasudev Sharma, Trustee of Child Right Trust, Prof. Ashok Patil and Shri Dhananjaya, Sub Inspector Police were the panellist.
In between the panel discussions, there was a dialogue with farmers and retailors. The farmers are aware of the harmful effects of tobacco and are willing to support to other crops, provided the government supports them with alternate crops. The retailers said they will abide by the law.