Tezpur, May 31, 2025 (Saturday): The Tezpur Cancer Centre marked World No Tobacco Day 2025 with a comprehensive awareness campaign that brought together students, healthcare professionals, and the community in a unified effort to combat tobacco use and its devastating health consequences.
The centerpiece of the initiative was a poster making competition held at Dhekiajuli Higher Secondary School, where students channeled their creativity to address this year’s theme: “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products.” The competition provided young minds with a platform to critically examine and visually represent how the tobacco industry manipulates consumers through targeted marketing strategies.
The student-created posters were subsequently shared across social media platforms, extending the reach of their anti-tobacco messages to a broader digital audience. A panel of teachers served as judges, evaluating the artistic and educational merit of each submission before recognizing the most impactful entries with prizes during a formal distribution ceremony.
Beyond the creative competition, the Cancer Centre organized a comprehensive awareness program that educated both teachers and students about the severe health implications of tobacco consumption. The session highlighted the direct correlation between tobacco use and various forms of cancer, while also addressing the broader health risks associated with both traditional tobacco products and emerging nicotine alternatives.
Recognizing the importance of addressing tobacco use within healthcare settings, the Cancer Centre conducted a specialized sensitization program for patient attendants and staff members. This initiative acknowledged that healthcare environments should serve as tobacco-free sanctuaries, promoting healing and wellness rather than harboring habits that contribute to disease.
In a powerful symbolic gesture, the Cancer Centre collected tobacco packets from patient attendants and hospital staff, subsequently destroying them in a public demonstration. This act served as both a practical intervention and a visual representation of the institution’s commitment to eliminating tobacco from its premises and the lives of those it serves.
The multi-pronged approach adopted by Tezpur Cancer Centre demonstrates the effectiveness of combining education, creativity, and direct action in anti-tobacco campaigns. By engaging students through artistic expression, educating educators and healthcare workers, and taking concrete steps to remove tobacco products from their environment, the Centre has created a model for comprehensive tobacco control initiatives.
The campaign’s emphasis on exposing industry tactics particularly resonates with current public health priorities, as tobacco companies continue to develop sophisticated marketing strategies targeting vulnerable populations, including youth and communities with limited health literacy.
