AMU Observes World No Tobacco Day with Awareness Campaigns
ALIGARH, May 30: Departments of Public Health Dentistry and Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Aligarh Muslim University, observed World No Tobacco Day 2026 through a series of awareness programmes aimed at educating students and the public about the harmful effects of tobacco use and promoting tobacco-free lifestyles.
As part of the observance, the Department of Public Health Dentistry organised a programme marking the culmination of its No Tobacco School Drive, conducted from April 22 to May 8 across six AMU schools, including S.T.S. School, A.B.K. High School (Boys and Girls), AMU Girls’ School, Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh AMU City School and City Girls High School. The campaign featured lectures, quizzes, slogan-writing and poster-making competitions to spread awareness about tobacco-related health hazards among students.
The concluding programme was attended by Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Mohammad Khalid; Principal, Ziauddin Ahmad Dental College, Prof. R.K. Tiwari; Prof. Geeta Rajput, Prof. Mahendra Kumar Jindal, Prof. Mohammad Tariq and Prof. Ashok Kumar. A special lecture was delivered by Dr. Ambesh Singh, Senior Consultant and Unit Head, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Fortis Greater Noida and an AMU alumnus, who spoke on the dangers of tobacco use, oral cancer prevention and the importance of early detection.
Winners of various competitions organised under the campaign were felicitated, while principals of participating schools were honoured for their support in promoting tobacco awareness. The department also acknowledged the support of Prof. Qudsia Tahseen, Director, School Education, and appreciated the efforts of Chairperson, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Prof. Neha Agrawal, faculty members Dr. Pramod Kumar Yadav and Dr. Syed Amaan Ali, and postgraduate students involved in organising the programme.
Meanwhile, the Department of Psychiatry launched an awareness drive among students, healthcare professionals, patients and the general public, highlighting the physical, psychological and social consequences of tobacco use. Participants were informed that tobacco remains a major risk factor for cancers, cardiovascular diseases, stroke and chronic respiratory illnesses and is responsible for an estimated 1.35 million deaths annually in India.
Chairman, Department of Psychiatry and Nodal Officer, Addiction Treatment Facility, Dr. Mohammed Reyazuddin, emphasised that tobacco dependence is a treatable condition and encouraged users to seek professional help. He noted that quitting tobacco at any age significantly improves health and quality of life.
The Department of Psychiatry also informed that tobacco cessation services are available at the Addiction Treatment Facility, OPD-8, JNMCH, AMU, from Monday to Saturday between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
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