World No Tobacco Day, which is observed annually on May 31st, is a global campaign organized by the World Health Organization (WHO). It aims to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and advocate for policies to reduce tobacco consumption. The day highlights the negative health effects of tobacco, promotes the benefits of quitting, and encourages people to protect themselves and others from second-hand smoke.
The theme for the day this year was “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference”, a theme aimed to raise awareness about how the industry targets young people with addictive products. The day served as a platform to discuss how to safeguard young people and encourage a tobacco-free future.
We at KSR Institute of Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, celebrated World No Tobacco Day 2024 through a series of events that engaged our students, teachers, and the public. We had organized programs in different formats including screening camps, street play, rallies, pledge ceremonies, pamphlet distribution, etc. over a two-week period from 20th May 2024 to 5th June 2024. Our primary objective was to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco in any form, and to educate young minds that the supposed “alternatives” for tobacco like e-cigarettes and vaping were equally harmful and addictive.
PROMOTIVE, PREVENTIVE AND SCREENING OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
1. Screening camp at Tiruchengode for Auto Drivers
A camp for auto drivers at Tiruchengode bus stand was conducted on 3rd June 2024. Around 35 auto drivers were screened for oral diseases and educated about the importance of oral health. Dr.Anudarsh, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, gave a health talk to the drivers about the ill effects of tobacco and the benefits of quitting the habit. The camp was successful in instilling awareness about the health hazards caused due to tobacco habits.
Duration: 3 hours
Place: New Bus Stand Auto Stand
Beneficiaries: 35 auto drivers
2. Screening camp at a Home for the Elderly
An oral screening and awareness camp was conducted at Sure Annai Trust (Home for the Elderly), Komarapalayam, on May 24, 2024. The event focused on raising awareness about the detrimental effects of tobacco on health. During the camp, twelve residents pledged to abstain from using tobacco, followed by comprehensive oral screenings for all participants. This initiative proved to be highly beneficial in enhancing the awareness and contributing to the overall well-being of the residents.
Duration: 3 hours
Place: Sure Annai Trust, Komarapalayam
Beneficiaries: 12 elderly inmates
INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES
Over 1000 pamphlets were distributed to the public during the No Tobacco fortnight. Pamphlets explaining the ills of tobacco habits and the benefits of quitting them were printed in the local language Tamil. Students from KSRIDSR distributed these pamphlets at public places like bus stand, government hospital, and the rally routes in Erode and Tiruchengode, as well as to patients visiting KSRIDSR.
Sample of the pamphlet:
SCHOOL BASED TOBACCO CONTROL AND CESSATION INITIATIVES
As a part of the World No Tobacco Day 2024 activities, an awareness program for schoolteachers and workers promoting the theme of this year “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference” was organized. Camps were conducted at Corporation Higher Secondary School, Karungalpalayam, and Government Higher Secondary School, Nanjappagoundanvalasu, Erode on 3rd June 2024. The participants were educated about the ill-effects of tobacco use, manipulative tactics of the tobacco industry, and the benefits of a tobacco-free lifestyle. Participants actively participated and clarified their doubts.
PUBLIC EVENTS LIKE WALKATHON, MARATHON, CYCLE RALLY, PUBLIC LECTURES
1. Awareness walkathon at Erode, Erode District:
An awareness walkathon was organised on 31st May 2024 by KSR Institute of Dental Science and Research in association with the Indian Dental Association (IDA) – Erode branch. The rally started at Government Hospital, Erode at 7.30 AM and ended at the IMA Hall, Sampath Nagar. At the start of the rally, a No-Tobacco pledge was taken by the participants. Around 100 students and faculty from KSR Institute of Dental Science and Research, members of IDA and office bearers of Indian Medical Association (IMA) took part in the awareness rally. Placards were displayed and slogans were raised against the use of tobacco in the rally. The public were sensitized about the ill effects of tobacco.
Duration: 1 hour
Place: Erode
Participants: 100 students; 30 faculty members and IDA and IMA representatives
2. Awareness walkathon at Tiruchengode, Namakkal District:
In view of World No Tobacco Day 2024, a rally was organized in association with the Indian Dental Association – Tiruchengode Branch on 31st May 2024. The rally started from Anna statue near Tiruchengode bus stand at around 10 AM. Principal Dr.Sharath Asokan gave the inaugural speech, and the rally was flagged off by Dr.Sakthivel, President, Tiruchengode IDA and Mr. Subramaniam, Inspector, Tiruchengode Town police station. Around 200 students and staff members of our college, and IDA members participated in the rally. Placards and posters were displayed, slogans were raised, and pamphlets were distributed, creating awareness about the ill effects of tobacco.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Place: Tiruchengode
Participants: 200 students; 20 faculty members and IDA representatives
3. Awareness talk for drivers and housekeeping staff:
An awareness talk was given by Principal Dr.Sharath Asokan to the drivers and workers of KSR Educational Institutions on 23rd May 2024. The attendees were provided valuable insights into the health risks associated with tobacco. The importance of regular health screenings was also stressed upon. The audience found the program highly informative and beneficial, feeling motivated to commit to a tobacco-free lifestyle.
PLEDGE CEREMONY FOR PUBLIC AND PATIENTS
1. Pledge administered to drivers and housekeeping staff:
On 23rd May 2024, 92 drivers and 54 female housekeeping staff from KSR Educational Institutions pledged to abstain from using tobacco products such as cigarettes, pan, and gutka.
2. Pledge administered to inmates of a home for the elderly:
Twelve residents of Sure Annai Trust, a home for the elderly, pledged to abstain from using tobacco, during a camp conducted on 24th May 2024.
3. Pledge administered to patients and their attendants:
On 27th May 2024, thirty patients and their attendants took a pledge against using tobacco products and committed to encouraging others to do the same. The pledge was administered in the Sushruta Block of KSR Institute of Dental Science and Research.
4. Pledge taken by employees of a private establishment:
On 31st May 2024, twenty employees from Puget Sound Steel Bar Engineering Private Limited, Erode, took a pledge against tobacco use.
5. Pledge taken by the public:
On 31st May 2024, a segment of the public who were watching the Street Play organized by our college in Tiruchengode took the pledge against tobacco use.
PLEDGE CEREMONY BY HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
A pledge taking event was organized in KSR Institute of Dental Science and Research for all healthcare professionals in the KSR Educational Institutions campus on 29th May 2024, in the Dental Auditorium. Around 100 dentists and medical doctors took the pledge.
SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITIES
To commemorate the World No Tobacco Day 2024, 12 snippets on different topics like the types of tobacco, ill effects of tobacco use, and the benefits of tobacco habits cessation were prepared. These snippets were widely distributed in the social media platforms of KSR Institute of Dental Science and Research (@ksridsrofficial), on a periodic basis. Each of these posts reached around 500 to 600 individuals on an average.
Social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn
RADIO / NEWSPAPER / TV CAMPAIGNS / TALK SHOW / STREET PLAYS / FLASH MOB
1. Street Play at Tiruchengode
On May 31, 2024, a captivating street play aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco was performed for the public in Tiruchengode. This impactful performance featured eleven dedicated undergraduate students who used compelling narratives and relatable characters to vividly illustrate the harmful effects of tobacco use. The street play highlighted the severe health risks associated with tobacco consumption, effectively communicating the urgency of the issue to the audience. Through dramatized scenes and powerful storytelling, the students showcased the various ways tobacco can harm the body, emphasizing the importance of avoiding tobacco in any form. The performance educated and emotionally engaged the spectators, leaving a lasting impression about the dire consequences of tobacco use. This initiative aimed to inspire the community to make healthier choices and underscored the collective effort needed to combat tobacco addiction, ultimately urging everyone to embrace a tobacco-free lifestyle.
Duration of the event: 45 minutes
Place: Near Bus Stand, Tiruchengode
2. No-Tobacco campaign in the newspapers
Awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and the purpose of World No-Tobacco Day was disseminated through local newspapers. Our No-Tobacco Day events garnered media attention and were featured in the “Kalai Kathir” newspaper on June 1, 2024, and in “Daily Thanthi” newspaper on June 2, 2024.
3. Talk Show on FM Radio and Spotify Podcast
An informative talk on tobacco awareness was delivered by Dr. S. Keerthana, Senior Lecturer in Oral Medicine and Radiology, on via KSR Community Radio 90.4MHz. She delivered a comprehensive talk on the different types of tobacco, their availability, the demographics of users, the addictive nature of tobacco, and the oral lesions associated with their chronic use. She also elaborated on the tobacco cessation counseling offered at the KSR Institute of Dental Science and Research. Her insightful address was broadcast on May 23, 2024.
The same lecture was also uploaded as a podcast to Spotify and shared with the public through the official social media handles of our institution. The Spotify link is provided below:
COLLABORATION WITH NURSING COLLEGE
A pledge taking ceremony was organized in association with KSR College of Nursing, on 28th May 2024. All faculty members and students at the Nursing College took part in this event and pledged to spread awareness of the ill effects of tobacco on the community and ensure tobacco free premises in their place of work or residence.
TOGETHER KSRIDSR MADE AN IMPACT
• On public
• On patients
• On the elderly
• On social workers
• On children
• On young people
• On parents
• On healthcare workers