Mangalore Institute of Oncology commemorates “World No Tobacco Day” through educative programs: Global data suggest that tobacco kills more than 70 lakh people every year and has a huge impact on healthcare expenditure and productivity. Considering this every year, on 31 May, the World Health Organization (WHO) and global partners organize “World No Tobacco Day”. The principal objective of this annual campaign is to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form. The cancer education and awareness cell (CEAC) of Mangalore Institute of Oncology (MIO) commemorated the World No Tobacco Day by conducting awareness programs. The CEAC members went to Nalya Padav high school at Shakthinagar and Kasaba Bengre high school near Tannirbhavi and spoke on the ill effects of tobacco and alcohol to the children and adolescents. The members also conducted a quiz program to ascertain the knowledge on cancer, a disease associated with tobacco habit. The members also distributed pamphlets and “No smoking “stickers to the auto and taxi drivers in and around Mangalore. Dr Suresh Rao the director said that MIO is a hospital with a difference and that these public education programs are a priority for the institution.
