Jammu, June 1:
Underlining its commitment to public health and preventive medicine, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jammu observed World No Tobacco Day 2026 with a series of high-impact community outreach programs and pledge-taking ceremonies.
Organized under the visionary leadership of Prof. (Dr.) D. N. Sharma, Executive Director & CEO of AIIMS Vijaypur, the initiative aligned with this year’s global theme: “Unmasking the Appeal – Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction.”
High-Profile Pledge for a Tobacco-Free Society
The day commenced with a formal “No Tobacco Pledge Ceremony” to reinforce institutional and public commitment toward eradicating tobacco use.
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National Presence: The ceremony was held in the virtual presence of Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary (Health), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
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Objective: To mobilize healthcare workers and the public into taking proactive roles against tobacco proliferation and addiction.
Target Campaign: Unmasking Corporate Marketing
The Department of Community Medicine took charge of ground-level sensitization, conducting intensive awareness drives at two key locations: the Main OPD Block at AIIMS Vijaypur and the Outreach Centre in Sangwal.
Medical teams directly engaged with patients, attendants, and local citizens to unmask how the tobacco industry hooks young consumers. Experts explained how manufacturers use attractive packaging, strategic flavoring agents, and targeted marketing to disguise the highly addictive nature of nicotine.
The campaign specifically warned against both smoking and smokeless products prevalent in the Jammu region:
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Smoking Products: Cigarettes, bidis, and tobacco-laden hookahs.
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Smokeless Products: Gutkha, khaini, zarda, and pan masala.
Severe Health Risks Highlighted
AIIMS Jammu clinicians briefed participants on the severe, often fatal, consequences of long-term tobacco and nicotine use, reminding the public that tobacco remains one of the leading preventable causes of disease and death worldwide.
Key Health Hazards Discussed:
Oncology: Cancers of the oral cavity, lungs, larynx, and esophagus.
Systemic Diseases: Chronic respiratory illnesses, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases.
Demographics: Adverse reproductive outcomes and high rates of premature mortality.
The teams also focused heavily on the invisible dangers of second-hand smoke, urging citizens to create strictly tobacco-free homes and workplaces to protect children and adolescents from passive exposure.
A Call to Action: Availing De-Addiction Services
Shifting focus from awareness to actionable recovery, AIIMS Jammu highlighted its specialized tobacco cessation and counseling services. The clinical teams shared practical behavioral strategies, peer-support models, and medical interventions designed to help chronic users successfully quit.
Concluding the event, Executive Director Prof. (Dr.) D. N. Sharma called for sustained collective action across the union territory:
“Tobacco use remains a major public health challenge that cannot be fought in isolation. AIIMS Jammu is fully committed to supporting tobacco-free communities through continuous public outreach, aggressive prevention campaigns, and accessible treatment initiatives. We strongly encourage users to step forward and utilize our available de-addiction services to reclaim their health.”
