.JPG)
AMU Observes World No Tobacco Day with Week-long Awareness Campaigns and Community Outreach
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) marked World No Tobacco Day 2025 with an extensive series of activities, including a week-long awareness campaign by the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dr. Z.A. Dental College, and a special community outreach programme conducted by the Department of Community Medicine, J.N. Medical College. Aligned with this year’s global theme, “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products,” the initiatives aimed to raise awareness about the health risks of tobacco and highlight manipulative marketing str
ategies used by the tobacco industry.
The Department of Public Health Dentistry, in collaboration with various institutions, organized diverse outreach programmes, including oral health screenings, awareness rallies, slogan writing, poster-making, T-shirt painting, skits and health talks. A dental health camp at Ayesha Tarin Modern Public School, conducted in partnership with the Inclusive Futures Foundation, offered oral check-ups and anti-tobacco counselling to school children. Students also participated in quizzes and digital campaigns focused on tobacco cessation.
A series of engaging health talks and dramatic presentations were delivered at AMU’s Medical Attendance Scheme (MAS) and its Rural and Urban Health Training Centres, addressing the health, social, and economic consequences of tobacco use. A human chain demonstration and rally, flagged off by the Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Mohd. Habib Raza, underscored the message of a tobacco-free lifestyle. Prof. Raza also launched a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) titled “Tobacco Cessation: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthcare Professionals” on the SWAYAM platform to strengthen professional training in tobacco control.
In addition, the Department of Community Medicine held a parallel community-based awareness drive at the Anganwadi Centre in Tejpur village. The programme, conducted under the guidance of Prof. Uzma Eram and the supervision of Dr. Tabassum Nawab and Dr. Sameena Ahmad, featured informative talks by junior residents. Dr. Al Faateh Mohammad Amer Kedwai spoke on global mortality trends linked to tobacco as per WHO data, while Dr. Surya Prakash Reddy elaborated on its psychological and social impact. Dr. Pramod Kumar Yadav of Dr. Z.A. Dental College emphasized de-addiction tools and support mechanisms.
A powerful live demonstration by Dr. Al Hilal Yousuf Sheikh illustrated the harmful tar accumulation from cigarette smoke, offering participants a visual understanding of its dangers. Undergraduate students from the Dental College performed a skit on the prevalence of smoking among youth and the availability of cessation aids like nicotine patches and gums. The event concluded with a collective pledge by attendees to support tobacco de-addiction.
The programme also included two health camps—one by the Department of Community Medicine, which treated approximately 50 local residents for minor ailments, and the other by the Dental College, offering oral hygiene counselling and dental care kits.
Both departments played a vital role in reinforcing AMU’s commitment to preventive health and community engagement. The success of the initiatives was driven by the efforts of Prof. Mohd. Habib Raza (Dean, Faculty of Medicine), Dr. R.K. Tiwari (Principal), Dr. N.D. Gupta, Dr. Neha Agrawal (Chairperson, Public Health Dentistry), Dr. Pramod Kumar Yadav, Dr. Syed Amaan Ali, and junior residents including Dr. Shazia Nahid, Dr. Hridya J., Dr. Al Hilal Yousuf Sheikh, Dr. Al Faateh Mohammad Amer Kedwai, and Dr. Surya Prakash Reddy.
The observance concluded with prize distribution and continued counselling support for those seeking to quit tobacco.
.jpeg)
