AGARTALA, August 19 (TIWN): Aiming to aware the people of the state about the various side effects of tobacco, a district level orientation programme cum Sensitization workshop was organized on Tuesday at Pragna Bhavan.

The programme was inaugurated by District Magistrate (West) Dr. Milind Ramteke, in the presence of Sub-divisional Magistrate Manik Lal Das.

During the programme the dignitaries have discussed about the various side effects of the tobacco in human health.

The inhalation of tobacco may cause bladder cancer, Cancer of the esophagus, Kidney cancer, Cancer of the larynx (voice box), Lung cancer, Cancer of the oral cavity (mouth), Cancer of the pharynx (throat), Stomach cancer, Cancer of the uterus and many more.

Tobacco is the foremost preventable cause of death and disease in the world today. More than 80% of these deaths occur in the developing countries due to the consumption of tobacco.

The majority of the cardio vascular diseases and lung disorders are directly attributable to tobacco stroke, cataract, peripheral vascular diseases etc.

Tobacco use by pregnant women leads to low birth weight babies, still births and birth defects.

India is the largest number of oral cancer in the world where 40 per cent of oral cancers in India are due to tobacco and every 8 seconds an Indian dies due to tobacco related disease.

In order to reduce consumption of tobacco products in society, to protect the youth and children from tobacco use and to protect the health of non smokers from the harmful effects of second hand smoke etc. a district level orientation programme has been organized.

The main objective of the programme is to bring about greater awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco among the concern people.

The programme was organized under the District Tobacco Control Cell, West Tripura District.