Odisha AIIMS to become 'No Tobacco Zone' soon

Reported by Santosh Jagdev

Bhubaneswar, Aug 3:

All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in the Odisha capital plans to declare the AIIMS campus 'Tobacco Free Zone' soon.

Considering detrimental health consequences of smoking, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar authorities have decided to declare AIIMS Hospital Zone as Tobacco Free Zone with immediate effect. Display boards have been put up at several places accordingly and the security persons have been asked to compel persons using tobacco to clear their mouth near the gate and enter the premises. If tobacco products are found in anybody's possession, they would be confiscated by the guards, AIIMS authorities said.

Considering the health benefits, the Oncology Department/ Ward at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar has been strictly implementing zero tolerance towards tobacco use both for patients and attendants. Notice boards have been put as ‘Anybody using tobacco shall not be allowed’.

Notice boards saying  ‘AIIMS campus is Tobacco free zone" Anybody found smoking/ chewing Tobacco products or spitting shall be penalized' as per the Government of India Gazette Notification no.- 304, on dated 30 May, 2008, inside the campus premises' have been put up at several places inside the campus.

By this order, the Government can impose fine on the person violating order and also identify persons who can collect fine like; Inspector of central excise/Income tax/ Customs/ Health/ Transport, Station master/Asst. Station Master/station head, All Gazetted officers of state/central government or equivalent rank and above in Autonomous Organisations/PSUs, Director/ Medical Superintendent/Hospital Administrator, Post master, Head of any institution/HR manager/ College/ School/Head master/ Principal/Teacher etc.

According to Prof DK Parida, Head, Department of Radiation Oncology, the most preventable causes of non-communicable disease is Tobacco. It contains more than 4000 chemicals out of which 70 are proven carcinogens.

Quoting a scientific article published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2008 titled ‘Effect of Smoking on Adult Mortality in India’, Parida said it clearly establish the fact that in India persons who use Tobacco or related product die at least 10 years before their counter parts who do not use tobacco.