On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day on Tuesday, Foundation for Oral Cancer (FOC), a city-based voluntary organization and State Tobacco Control Board jointly launched a World De-addiction Counseling Cell here.
Mayor of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Bonthu Rammohan was the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, the Mayor, in an attempt to inspire tobacco addicts to shun the bad habit, has said, “God gave humans a life to live 100 years and we should not end our lives instantly with oral cancer”. Amidst cheers, Rammohan said, ‘Gutka maanandi, Ghatka thinandi’ (Ghatka, a food made of corn) and ‘Gutka thinte gutukku mantaru, Ghatka thinte gattiga untaru’ (If you eat Gutka you’ll die, if you eat Ghatka you’ll be alive).
The Mayor also cautioned passive smokers to be more cautious as they always become the victims. Shekar Basha, a Radio Jockey with 92.7 Big FM, appealed to the youth not follow the movie stars, who smoke on screen. He also requested the Movie makers not to show smoking scenes in the films.
Government Dental College Principal, Osmania University, Bal Reddy, said, India stands at sixth place in the world in oral cancer and early detection can save the life as there was no treatment to cure the fatal disease. Prevention is the only way to lead life. Dental doctors have a lot of responsibility in this regard, he added.
Later a Missed Call Service (8099055550) was launched by the Mayor, through which addicts can get counseling and awareness to shun the habit in phases. Nanda Kishore (TV actor), Kiran Kumar, CEO, ERP Analyst, Md. Asif Ali Khan, Vice-President, MAM, Surabhi, a psychologist and others attended the event. (NSS)