Health related organizations collaborate to observe No Tobacco day
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Health related organizations collaborate to observe No Tobacco day |
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Contact: Sherlana Ernest
Monday 30 May 2011 – In light of the World Health Organization’s awareness of World No Tobacco Day, the Ministry of Health and Wellness has collaborated with other organizations to host activities geared at sensitizing Saint Lucians about the many dangers of Tobacco and second-hand smoking.
In keeping with international obligations, Saint Lucia agreed to adopt price and tax measures to reduce the demand for tobacco, and offer individuals help to overcome their tobacco addiction, as well as many other pertinent obligations.
The American Medical Students Association and A.M.U. Students in Saint Lucia worked alongside the Substance Abuse Advisory Council and the Ministry of Health to host an event in celebration of World No Tobacco Day.
The event, to be held at the Castries City Hall, will feature a lecture by Saint Lucian Oncologist Doctor Owen Gabriel, as well as an exhibition and presentation on the dangers of Tobacco. The World No Tobacco event is free and all members of the public are encouraged to attend.
Secretary of the American Medical Students Association, Muhammed Rihas spoke briefly on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day.
“The main purpose of the event is to create awareness among the public and people in general. I am sure that there are a lot of people who are not aware of the adverse conditions related to smoking, the danger it poses to them and the danger it poses to people around them from second hand smoke. There are many diseases which people can become prone to as a result of smoking, especially diseases related to the lungs. As part of the event, we will be having discussions and presentations in chart form, which are geared at giving people an idea of the negative effects of smoking to the body and the environment - both long term and short term.”
The theme for this year’s celebration is “The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control”.
World No Tobacco Day 2011, is designated to highlight the treaty’s overall importance, to stress the parties obligations under the treaty, and to promote the essential role of the conference of the parties and WHO in supporting countries’ efforts to meet those obligations.
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