“National Law University Odisha observed No Tobacco Week on the Occasion of World No Tobacco Day, 2023.”

Odisha reports a significantly high rate of tobacco consumption, related health hazards and deaths. The State Government and its allied agencies are taking every step possible to ensure reduction in tobacco prevalence. To promote public awareness of laws and the harmful effects of tobacco use, every year 31^st May is celebrated as World No Tobacco Day all across the globe.

This year, NLUO under its Project on Tobacco Control Initiatives observed a No Tobacco Week by organising the following activities –

1. 1. National Online Sensitization Session on Increasing Tobacco Industry Interference and Need for Compliance with WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Article 5.3 on May 26, 2023

The National online consultation brought together about 69 participants representing various departments such as dignitaries from the public health, department of policy and advocacy, department of health and family welfare, State Government Departments, State Nodal Officers, NTCP, other stakeholders from the areas of NCD, and Tobacco Control, law enforcement agencies.

The event aimed to highlight the need of adoption and implementation of national policy against tobacco industry interference in line with WHO FCTC Article 5.3 and enhance the awareness among stakeholders against tobacco industry interference. The resource persons for the program included Dr. Prakash C Gupta, Director at Healis-Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health, Navi Mumbai, India, Dr. Rana J Singh, Deputy Regional Director, The Union South-East Asia (The Union), Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Director and President, Strategic institute of Public Health and Research, Chandigarh, India, Dr.Nirmalaya Mukherjee, Director and Head-Tobacco Control, MANT, Kolkata, Dr.Shivam Kapoor, Technical Advisor, The Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Dr. Amit Yadav, Senior Technical Advisor, The Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Ms.Vaishakhi Mallick, Associate Director, South Asia Policy Advocacy and Communication and Dr. Upendra Maheshbhai Bhojani, Director, Institute of Public Health, Karnataka.

2. 2. National Online Consultation on Strengthening Effective Law Enforcement for Advancing Tobacco Control in India with Stronger Policy Initiatives on May 28, 2023.

The National online consultation brought together about 74 participants representing various departments such as dignitaries from the public health, department of health and family welfare, Law and Medical education Institution and University, law and medical faculty from all across the country, advocates from the Supreme Court, Bar Councils, State Government Departments, State Nodal Officers, NTCP, other stakeholders from the areas of NCD, and Tobacco Control, law enforcement agencies.

The event aimed to strengthen effective law enforcement for advancing tobacco control in India with stronger policy initiative. The resource persons for the program included Dr.Leimapokpam Swasticharan, Additional Deputy Director General of Health Services & Director (Emergency Medical Relief) at Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India, Dr.Niranjan Mishra, Director of Public Health, Government of Odisha, Dr.Amit Yadav, Senior Technical Advisor, The Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Prof. (Dr.) Yogesh Pratap Singh, Vice-Chancellor, NLU Tripura and Shri Ranjit Singh, Advocate, Supreme Court of India

3. 3. Release of No Tobacco Signages across different Municipal Corporation and Municipalities in Odisha State Level

The University collaborated with various municipal bodies across Odisha in supporting installation of display boards on the menace of tobacco use and the laws on tobacco control. This campaign aimed to spread awareness and sensitize common people on the menace of tobacco use and the laws on the tobacco control. Municipal bodies of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Nabarangpur, Bargarh, along with the University displayed No Tobacco Signages. National Law University assisted Municipal team in designing and finalizing posters and messages.?

The Tobacco free Odisha Campaign by National Law University Odisha for advancing effective tobacco control in India is a positive step towards addressing this critical public health issue and promoting awareness and effective policy implementation to reduce tobacco use.