CM launches 8-month campaign against tobacco, spurious liquor & drugs
Bhubaneswar: State govt launched an eight-month-long awareness campaign to curb the use and spread of tobacco, adulterated and toxic alcohol and drugs on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day on Saturday.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Inaugurating the campaign at a programme here, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi said awareness is the only way to prevent tobacco-related deaths. "Despite knowing its dangers, people are unable to distance themselves from tobacco use. If one person can be made aware, then we can save a life. I want the awareness campaign to reach every household," he said.
The state-wide awareness campaign will be conducted in four phases: from May 31 to June 26, from June 26 to Aug 15, on Oct 2, and from Dec 25 to Jan 15 next year.
Majhi urged everyone to participate in the awareness campaign and to commit to a life free from addiction.
He said that 100% of oral and lung cancers are caused by tobacco and cigarette consumption. "Everyone should be conscious of adopting a healthy lifestyle," he added.
The influence of advertisements on the youth was also noted. The CM advised vigilance against misleading ads of tobacco, cigarette and liquor. He further said that efforts to curb illegal drugs, toxic and illicit liquor are being expedited through joint efforts of the excise, home department and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), with stringent actions taken against offenders.
At the event, Majhi unveiled the logo, TV spots, theme song and information booklet for the campaign.
Excise minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said the campaign has been initiated in Odisha for the first time. He called for the participation of other departments and civil society to spread awareness to all people. "Penalties under the Excise Act will be further tightened," he said.
Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, brand ambassador of the campaign and international sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik, excise commissioner and secretary Guha Punam Tapas Kumar, and other officials were present.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
20 hours ago
- The Hindu
Flash inspections under way against banned tobacco products
Noticing a spike in the sale of banned tobacco products, the police have intensified flash inspections in various wayside shops located closer to schools and colleges in Kozhikode. Cafes, cool bars, and eateries in several locations have also been brought under surveillance following confidential complaints from the school authorities and parents. Along with the local police, special squads from the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) and Crime Squad members under the District Police Chiefs will take part in flash inspections. The Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police are also alert to attempts to smuggle banned tobacco products by train. 'As migrant workers have been found associated with the bulk retail of smuggled tobacco products, their temporary accommodations will be inspected frequently with the support of the local police. The building owners have also been asked to be watchful of any illegal activities by tenants,' said a police officer from the Anti-Narcotics squad. He added that students' support would be sought to help identify local traders of banned tobacco products. According to DANSAF officers, they had carried out multiple raids in several suspected spots ahead of the school reopening in the district. There were also considerable seizures from some of the suspected spots apart from the arrest of the carriers, they said. Meanwhile, the district administration announced a new project to declare all educational institutions tobacco-free zones by June 30. The campaign with the mission would be carried out in view of the upcoming 'World No Tobacco Day'. A district-level meeting with the heads of various government departments was also held at the Collectorate recently to plan the project execution. 'We have decided to start the activities by launching a 'Yellow Line Campaign', which will ensure the participation of students and teachers in forming a human chain within a 100-metre radius of schools. The purpose is to reiterate that the area is a no-tobacco zone,' said a senior Revenue department official. He added that the formation of school-level vigilance committees, awareness classes against tobacco use, and the erection of anti-tobacco boards in public places would be carried out as part of the aggressive campaign.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- New Indian Express
Odisha CM launches 55 road safety projects worth Rs 576 crore
BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday launched 55 road safety programmes and projects worth Rs 575.77 crore covering all the districts of the state. Inaugurating the Zero Accident Day and Road Safety Week programme here, the chief minister said accidents not only affect individuals and families but also have a significant impact on the state's economy. He said road accident-related deaths have become a significant problem in India with 75.2 per cent of such fatalities caused by speeding. 'Drivers often forget the golden rule of driving: 'Speed thrills, but it also kills'. Wrong-side driving, drunk driving and using mobile phones while driving contribute to accident-related deaths. People should be cautious and avoid these mistakes to ensure safety of their lives as well as others,' he said. The Zero Accident Day campaign will continue till June 28. It is being conducted in collaboration with IIT-Madras. On this occasion, Majhi launched 11 automated driving testing systems (ADTS) in various districts with an investment of Rs 24 crore. He also launched the second phase of the Driving Electronic Enforcement to Save Human Lives (DISHA) project worth Rs 215 crore, which will cover 485 km of national and state highways.
India Gazette
a day ago
- India Gazette
Odisha CM Majhi participates in
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], June 4 (ANI): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi participated in the 'Zero Accident Day' campaign at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, launching multiple key initiatives under the Commerce and Transport Department worth Rs 575.77 crore, aimed at enhancing infrastructure and road safety across the state. During the event, CM Majhi inaugurated critical projects and laid the foundation stones for several new developments intended to reduce road accidents and improve transportation efficiency in Odisha. Speaking to mediapersons, Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi said, 'Many schemes of the Commerce and Transport Department of the Odisha Government were launched today. We have also signed an MoU with IIT Chennai to reduce accidents by using new technology.' He highlighted the increasing number of road accidents, especially involving youth, and stressed the importance of stricter enforcement. 'Driving on the wrong side of the road, talking on mobile while driving and not following any rules, these are the reasons for accidents. A lot of youth are dying in will take action against the violators,' he added. Earlier on Sunday, Chief Minister Majhi visited Kalinga Studio in Bhubaneswar to review the progress of its renovation. Odisha's iconic Kalinga Studio is undergoing a massive transformation and is currently in its final phase. CM Mohan Charan Manjhi claims that around 90-95 per cent of the renovation work has been completed. He further highlighted the Cine Arts Association's demands for 'additional infrastructure' in the Kalinga film studio, which includes a police station, a village, a hospital, a temple and a court. As per the Odisha CM, the inauguration of the iconic Kalinga Studio is set to be held soon, which will be followed by a 'detailed planning' for film shooting in the next phase. As per the Industries Department of Odisha, Odisha Small Industries Corporation (OSIC) had submitted estimates for Rs 2.13 crores for the construction/renovation/modification of the developmental works. The renovation work include the repairing of Compound Wall, grading of Green Room (Make-up rooms), renovation of cottages, supply of water to different areas of the studio, repairing of Transformer, construction of pump house as well as overhead tank, repairing of indoor shooting floor, renovation and beautification of lawns and gardens, construction of slums / bastis, pindis and bhagabattungi etc. inside the studio premises for use by the film makers. (ANI)
