Ministry observes World No Tobacco Day

The Ministry of Public Health yesterday held a mini health fair to sensitise the public about the consequences of tobacco use in observance of World No Tobacco Day.

A GINA release said that the five-hour health fair which was held at the Stabroek Market also provided health services that included blood pressure, HIV/AIDS and blood sugar testing, and mental health services.

Some of the persons who attended the health fair said that they were informed about it via a text message and found that the services provided to be quite convenient.

Dr. Troy Sagon from the Chronic Diseases Unit, Ministry of Public Health told GINA that he hopes that the mini health fair would serve to highlight the different stages in which tobacco usage affects the body.

Some of those who attended (GINA photo)

“The Ministry of Public Health’s point of view in terms of World No Tobacco Day is to decrease the use and that is why they signed a treaty with WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) to basically ban tobacco companies’ advertisement or the promotion of tobacco products. They are also trying to increase the taxation on tobacco and banning the smoking of tobacco product in public places while making places smoke free zone,” Dr. Sagon added.