Taking into view the theme of WNTD 12, the BBCI has carried out a month-long programme to educate general public and policy makers about harmful effects of tobacco, tobacco control laws and policies, tobacco industry’s interference in tobacco control.

Tobacco awareness IEC materials were distributed at Guwahati, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sessa, Narayanpur and Laluk of North Lakhimpur and at various offices and public places. As policy makers are one of the targeted groups of WNTD 12, a MLA sensitisation programme on ill-effects and of tobacco and tobacco industry’s nefarious and harmful tactics was discussed with Neelamani Sen Deka, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs of Assam, on May 8 via a telephonic interaction.

Audio-visual community awareness programmes along with distribution of information leaflets/brochures on harmful effects of tobacco and tobacco control issues were carried out on May 2 and 3 respectively at Madarkhat Tea Estate, Lahowal block and Wilton-Champaknagar Tea Estate,Tinsukia, at Mangaldai, Darrang on May 22, at Borombu, Kamrup on May 24, and at a short stay home for distressed women, Narengi on May 25.

The BBCI is taking the help of visual and print media for mass public awareness on tobacco and cancer. During this month, doctors from the BBCI took part in such programmes. An awareness talk on tobacco and health as well as tobacco control issues will be aired by Red FM in Red Mike segment.

Students from all over the North-East come to join various training courses at BBCI under its academia. A scientific session on tobacco and health and sensitisation on tobacco control laws and policies, tobacco industry interference along with role of youth on tobacco control was carried out covering all the students under BBCI Academia on May 15.

Another youth sensitisation programme on tobacco and health and role of youth in tobacco control was conducted at Industrial Training Institute, Gopinath Nagar where students and teachers of ITI participated.