GUWAHATI, May 31 - The Assam Tribune Sports Club today observed World No Tobacco Day in the club premises with a special talk on tobacco and its relation with cancer and other ailments. The talk was delivered by Dr Munindra Narayan Baruah, managing director, North East Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Jorabat.
Dr Baruah gave a power point presentation on different issues related to tobacco consumption and its disastrous effects on human health. Giving details of various carcinogenic elements present in tobacco, � both smoking and smokeless � Dr Baruah lamented the fact that the companies across the globe which deal in tobacco products are highly influential in designing government policies to suit their business interests. This has led to dearth of government initiatives in controlling tobacco use among the masses.
Dr Baruah said that though it is a scientifically proven fact that tobacco causes cancer and heart diseases, there are people with vested interests, both in the government and among the medical fraternity who mislead people by irresponsible remarks on use of tobacco. Citing facts and figures, he said that the rising incidents of cancer in North East India, more particularly Assam and Mizoram, has remained a cause of serious concern.
Insisting that cancer is preventable and curable if detected early, unlike diabetes and hypertension, Dr Baruah emphasised the need to have more cancer screening facilities in Assam as well as throughout the entire country.
Ganesh Tamuly, chairman, NECHRI, in his speech laid stress on a healthy diet and lifestyle that includes regular physical exercises. He said that though cancer is common among all strata of society, maintaining a disciplined lifestyle and having health awareness can help an individual get respite from such dreaded diseases. He appealed to the Tribune Group employees present on the occasion to introspect and quit the bad habits including smoking and smokeless tobacco for better health.
Dr Geetartha Roymedhi said that awareness about cancer is the key to reducing the incidence of the disease.
Earlier, Munin Bayan, Executive Editor of Dainik Asam; Dugdharam Kalita, general secretary of Assam Tribune Employees� Union and Debasish Sinha and Hiranya Kumar Barman, president and secretary respectively of the sports club, felicitated all the guests from NECHRI. Barman also offered the vote of thanks. Nearly 100 employees of the Tribune Group attended the programme.
