The Youth Red Cross unit of Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Technology organized an awareness programme on “Harmful Effects of the Usage of Tobacco” on October 5, 2023, at the college premises. The resource person for this programme was Dr.Arun.K.Simon, M.D.S., Reader & Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sri Ramakrishna Dental College and Hospital, Coimbatore.  

He initiated the session with explanations about different types of tobacco, such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, and pipe tobacco. Under the type of cigarettes, he briefed about nicotine addiction and the harmful effects of the first, second, and third kinds of smoking. He discussed the side effects and major effects of chewing tobaccos such as gutkha, khaini, and pan masala. He also discussed the ill effects of e-cigarette, snuff, and pipe tobacco users.

Under the long-term effects of tobacco, he insisted that the addiction to tobacco will cause cancer in the lungs, mouth, throat, kidney, stomach, and liver, which ultimately leads to death. Smokers are more vulnerable to COVID. The habit of using tobacco mostly begins during college life. So, he requested that the students not use tobacco under any circumstances.

He clearly mentioned in his presentation the benefits of being tobacco-free and the benefits of quitting smoking. He also discussed the prohibition acts of tobacco and insisted that smoking and the sale of tobacco products are completely banned in many public places, such as in working places, educational institutions, and health care centers.  

During his presentation, he created awareness of the ill effects of tobacco usage and insisted on creating a tobacco-free world. One hundred and fifty-seven students at Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Technology participated in this awareness program and got benefits.