tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7559367331049743882024-02-07T18:01:44.944-08:00Smokefree MumbaiSmokefree Mumbaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08576574747023476879noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755936733104974388.post-89534225446575753372011-10-13T23:05:00.001-07:002011-10-13T23:19:01.579-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><h2 style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">Should government bodies working towards public health invest in tobacco?</span></h2><div><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">An article published in today's Times of India raises a pertinent question that is being debated the world over. Should countries who have ratified the framework convention of tobacco control (FCTC) treaty of the WHO, which states as it's main objective- public health as the main priority of the country, invest in the very cause of the problem? 'The tobacco companies that manufacture, distribute market and sell tobacco'</span></div><div><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">The Norweigen government that has been pro-tobacco control and has taken bold steps to curb the menace recently announced that the government would divest all of its shares from any companies that receive more than 5% of their profits from tobacco. Now that is a solid commitment towards public health. The Australian government recently rejected such a bill but has it's fair share of supporters.</span></div><div><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">So why exactly do government insurance companies invest in tobacco? Ofcourse strong and stable returns is a definite reason to invest in tobacco. Did you know that tobacco is probably one of the few companies that does well in times of war and recession. So we can understand why companies might want to invest in tobacco based on the returns and money they make(Not sure how they sleep at night though with all the invested money going into tobacco manufacture and in turn resulting in more cancer cases)</span></div><div><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">But the strong question still remains, is it ethical? As citizens of the country should we trust and believe in the health plans of a government that is in bed with the tobacco companies? Read in the article below the response of the LIC official. He says ITC is diversified and has social responsibility. How can a company with more than 70% of it's profits still coming from tobacco be diversified?</span></div><h2 style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; "><br /></span></h2><h2 style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">Should LIC invest in tobacco cos: NGO</span></h2><h4 style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">TIMES NEWS NETWORK </span><br /></h4><br /><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">Mumbai: Should government-run companies invest in tobacco firms? This is the question that Voices of Tobacco Victims (VoTV), an NGO working for cancer patients, has raised after its recent query under the RTI Act revealed that the Life Insurance Corporation of India has invested up </span><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">to Rs 3,500 crore in various </span><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">tobacco companies. <br /> “It’s the greatest irony that the government spends Rs 10,000 crore on treatment of tobacco-related illnesses while investing Rs 3,500 crore in the industry causing it,’’ said Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, a senior cancer surgeon with </span><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">Tata Memorial Hospital who is associated with VoTV. <br /> On Thursday, VoTV circulated copies of the RTI reply from LIC dated July 15. LIC has mentioned that it has equity shares in tobacco major ITC Ltd worth Rs 3,561 crore, debentures worth Rs 50 crore in Dharampal Satyapal Ltd and equity shares in VST worth Rs 15.65 lakh. </span><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; "><br />VoTV wants the govern</span><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">ment to take an anti-tobacco stance especially since it was among the first to ratify the global anti-tobacco framework. The framework was worked out by the UN after it was medically established that tobacco products are harmful and could cause cancer.</span><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; "><b style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">ITC no longer a tobacco co: LIC </b></span><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; "><br />Mumbai: Voices of Tobacco Victims (VoTV) has questioned the investments by government-run companies in tobacco firms. “Considering that over eight lakh Indians die every year due to tobacco-related diseases, the government should keep away from such investments,’’ said Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, adding that the Norwegian government had taken such a stance. <br /> LIC’s Vipin Anand felt that the issue was being blown out of proportion. “ITC Ltd can no longer be considered a tobacco company. It has diversified into FMCG, hotels, books, etc and it also has social responsibility programmes such as Chaupal for rural India. </span><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; ">We have had its stocks for long and they carry a lot of weight in the stock exchange,’’ he said. <br /> Regarding LIC’s investments in Dharampal Satyapal Ltd, he said, “Like ITC Ltd, this company </span><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; "><br />too has diversified immensely. It has a presence in the hospitality sector as well as infrastructure.’’ However, he added, LIC has been offloading its investments in the third company, VST Industries, since 1993.</span></span>Smokefree Mumbaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08576574747023476879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755936733104974388.post-92215285608440294892011-08-15T21:06:00.000-07:002011-08-15T21:07:20.478-07:00The Black yet profitable Business of Tobacco<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div style="font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(34, 34, 136); font-weight: bold; vertical-align: middle; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 10px; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; "><table width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: middle; text-align: left; color: rgb(34, 34, 136); font-weight: bold; font-size: 12px; ">China: What's that going up in smoke?</td></tr></tbody></table></div><center><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-align: justify; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 20px; "><p style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><b>What's that going up in smoke? - China Daily
<br />August 15, 2011</b></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">Cesar Chelala
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<br />Facing greater restrictions in the United States and other industrialized countries, transnational tobacco companies have intensified the marketing of their products in developing countries, particularly among women and adolescents.
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<br />For the past several years, multinationals such as Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds and British-American Tobacco have been expanding rapidly in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.
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<br />While the percentage of smokers in some industrialized countries is falling by about 1 percent a year, in developing countries it is increasing by about 3 percent a year. It is estimated that if this trend continues for the next 30 years, smoking-related diseases will kill up to 7 million people a year in developing countries.
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<br />Tobacco-related deaths can only add to the inequities in health care of ethnic and poor populations. According to data from the Bureau of Census, US Department of Commerce, the number of Latino smoking youth in the United States will increase three times by 2020.
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<br />Since the early 1980s, US trade officials, with the help of the Office of the US Trade Representative, have led a sustained campaign to open markets in Asian countries and regions such as Japan, South Korea and Thailand. Their move has prompted the Asia Pacific Association for the Control of Tobacco to protest strongly against the "invasion of their countries" by US companies, which especially target Asian women and children. The association has complained against the strong-arm tactics used by US government officials, too.
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<br />In fact, a US General Accounting Office report has established that "US policy and programs for assisting the export of tobacco and tobacco products work at cross purposes to US health policy initiatives, both domestically and internationally".
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<br />Several studies have shown that in the poorest households in developing countries, 10 percent or more of the total household expenditure is on tobacco. As a result, there is less money to spend on necessities such as food, education and health care. This increases malnutrition, illiteracy and the chances of premature death.
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<br />In China, tobacco companies have been moving steadily inland with intense promotional campaigns. It is estimated that more than 350 million of the world's 1.71 billion smokers are in China, where lung cancer cases have been increasing by 4.75 percent a year.
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<br />The Chinese government is facing a dilemma in promoting anti-tobacco policies, because the earnings of State-run monopoly tobacco companies form a good part of its revenue. Research scholars with the School of Public Health at the University of California, however, say that increasing tobacco tax by 15 US cents (about 1 yuan) per cigarette pack could save more than 13 million lives and generate $9.5 billion in revenue for the Chinese government.
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<br />Lured by financial gains from growing tobacco, millions of hectares in China are under tobacco cultivation. Gains from the sale of tobacco may be short term, because the costs of treating lung cancer and other tobacco-related diseases far exceed the profits. According to experts, the extra cost worldwide could be up to $200 billion a year, one-third of which is incurred by developing countries.
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<br />While anti-smoking efforts gather momentum in the US, they are far less effective in developing countries. Such countries' policies will not be as effective as they should be unless transnational tobacco companies are made to curtail their aggressive advertisements.
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<br />Many countries in Asia and Latin America are conducting health-education campaigns and have passed legislation to control smoking. Up to now, several countries across the world have enacted legislation to curb tobacco consumption. Although generally such legislation has been passed at the national level, in the US, Canada and several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, provinces or local bodies are enacting these laws.
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<br />Despite increasing condemnation by public health officials and the World Health Organization, tobacco companies, especially multinationals, continue their indiscriminate and aggressive promotions in developing countries at the cost of human lives. As things stand now, only a multidisciplinary strategy that includes education, taxation, legislation and regulation of trade practices of transnational corporations can control this pandemic.</p></div></center><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-align: justify; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 20px; "><b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2011-08/11/content_13089542.htm" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 136); font-weight: bold; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: none; ">China Daily</a>
<br /><b>Category:</b> <a href="http://member.globalink.org/nimi/news.advspn" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 136); font-weight: bold; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: none; ">Advertising & Sponsorship</a>
<br /><b>Date:</b> <a href="http://member.globalink.org/nimi/us/2011-08-15" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 136); font-weight: bold; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: none; ">15 August 2011</a></div></span>Smokefree Mumbaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08576574747023476879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755936733104974388.post-54312183261697947792010-04-03T02:46:00.001-07:002010-04-03T02:46:54.112-07:00“Pratibimb” – VJTI College FestivalPratibimb” was a great platform to reach out to the engineering students in Mumbai. At Pratibimb SFM was associated with the intra departmental competition of Fashion Show. The theme was kept as addiction and couple of team adopted smoking addiction as their theme. The show was a huge success and instantly connected to audience helping to spread the message to an enormous group. Also other events such as Marathi Street Plays and fine arts events had adopted smoking as their theme to support Smokefree Mumbai campaign.Smokefree Mumbaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08576574747023476879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755936733104974388.post-16778845245952679122010-04-03T02:44:00.000-07:002010-04-03T02:46:20.747-07:00‘Aavishkar” – G S Medical College Festival<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIH3mC0e9HwSyFBkvU0wQQWDlKudkfDdcoYM2EUI5m07VAki27iJ9zGb0Tp8sVWUQeoPUaJuUPDFn23kqjh-isV7Ju17n7E0677R9dO5mfZsqW2_JCBcmmF9IfQldq-HiV-ArGNNk-AZW/s1600/Avishkar.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIH3mC0e9HwSyFBkvU0wQQWDlKudkfDdcoYM2EUI5m07VAki27iJ9zGb0Tp8sVWUQeoPUaJuUPDFn23kqjh-isV7Ju17n7E0677R9dO5mfZsqW2_JCBcmmF9IfQldq-HiV-ArGNNk-AZW/s320/Avishkar.bmp" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455845259164291762" /></a>At Aavishkaar, SFM launched its signature campaign through a press conference. The main aim of the signature campaign is to garner support from across all sections of Mumbai society and to file a petition with the appropriate authorities within the Maharashtra state government towards increasing the fine charged for the violation of the law from Rs. 200 to Rs. 500. Aavishkaar’s association with Smoke Free Mumbai was to support and create a platform to help spread the awareness amongst the students and medical fraternity of Mumbai. At Aavishkaar SFM was promoted through various events, including photography, t-shirt painting, rangoli , various sports events like Basketball and women Volleyball.Smokefree Mumbaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08576574747023476879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755936733104974388.post-70320247283155945702010-04-03T02:42:00.000-07:002010-04-03T02:44:08.268-07:00“Magma” – BGIMS College Festival<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gtD_zR-o8t75eDiT5WgzFD_oSlFZtjic6F4DPjNzFW6WGcbVlM1MkjocJIol3t1vTauLURMRJ2PZuX2pRH1BChgQAGIHD_1P1sJHL8_RX3602MiRoAtTqCxmeYZyxjjwCnVfM4t_mUlc/s1600/Magma.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gtD_zR-o8t75eDiT5WgzFD_oSlFZtjic6F4DPjNzFW6WGcbVlM1MkjocJIol3t1vTauLURMRJ2PZuX2pRH1BChgQAGIHD_1P1sJHL8_RX3602MiRoAtTqCxmeYZyxjjwCnVfM4t_mUlc/s320/Magma.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455844707559448834" /></a>Street play at Magma festival was the highlight and gauged lot of attraction by the common man on the streets including the taxi drivers and long distance commuters.. The main events at the fest including workshop conducted by Drs from preventive oncology department of Tata memorial hospital; ad mad show, case study; debate, elocution and the signature campaign.Smokefree Mumbaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08576574747023476879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755936733104974388.post-66235559439049429742010-04-03T02:39:00.000-07:002010-04-03T02:42:26.899-07:00“Brouhaha – Sydenham College Festival<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk_Xz6of4OyBd09wWavuWcEfttJzFID0sriBx2brwGLklbiEVp_7rgamsldFslInDZjWoC0DJXExY2roZedAyYsv7to8nyY-3mMPO_XYZJ6e05jnqUcYL59Jd2btgeu33GduAo0CqR2P_/s1600/Brouhaha.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 111px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk_Xz6of4OyBd09wWavuWcEfttJzFID0sriBx2brwGLklbiEVp_7rgamsldFslInDZjWoC0DJXExY2roZedAyYsv7to8nyY-3mMPO_XYZJ6e05jnqUcYL59Jd2btgeu33GduAo0CqR2P_/s320/Brouhaha.bmp" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455844248116221522" /></a>Students from ‘Brouhaha’ gave tremendous support to SFM and helped to gather support from the participating college students. At “Brouhaha we managed to collect thousand signatures. The main highlight was the street play performed by the students on Marine drive for Smoke Free Mumbai highlighting the harmful effects of smoking and passive smoking and encouraging Mumbai citizens to take proactive steps towards preventing instances of smoking in public places and help in building “Aamchi Mumbai Smoke Free Mumbai”. At ‘Brouhaha’ SFM was involved in major events including various fine arts like graffiti, ad mad, scripted chaos, debate etc to promote the law. The volunteers at these festivals wear wearing SFM T-Shirts in order to spread awareness for the campaign.Smokefree Mumbaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08576574747023476879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755936733104974388.post-41332347241457913222010-04-03T02:34:00.000-07:002010-04-03T02:38:56.101-07:00“Kshitij” – Mithibai College Festival<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_xg6BpXsC5ZzT675s51FlPEKiYk3TlWgIfYW55iFajS6xXiLQ9UEnEksBMaTW7Lw5-vStZhrtNZPJ4d-D_xw3nCeolbFBNA1602qoEWqtk0qcbhDEBkF-Bn780gStSnhra13V-4xHi6t/s1600/Kshitj.bmp"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_xg6BpXsC5ZzT675s51FlPEKiYk3TlWgIfYW55iFajS6xXiLQ9UEnEksBMaTW7Lw5-vStZhrtNZPJ4d-D_xw3nCeolbFBNA1602qoEWqtk0qcbhDEBkF-Bn780gStSnhra13V-4xHi6t/s320/Kshitj.bmp" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455842936607087586" /></a>Kshitij was the perfect start to SFM’s association with college festivals. Smokefree Mumbai was associated with the cricket match and the final team members of the intercollegiate competition were wearing SFM T-Shirts during their match. Also various events including debate and other fine arts competition had incorporated SFM as their theme. Posters saying “I Choose to Say No” were put up across the college campus to spread the message. Signatures stalls were put up during the festival where volunteers educated the crowd about the law and collected signaturesSmokefree Mumbaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08576574747023476879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755936733104974388.post-63582425051224933682010-04-03T02:33:00.000-07:002010-04-03T02:34:20.350-07:00SMOKE FREE MUMBAI ASSOCIATES WITH VARIOUS MUMBAI COLLEGES FESTIVALS WITH ITS SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN<div>Smoke Free Mumbai (SFM) Campaign associated with various colleges festivals in Mumbai with the objective of increasing awareness for the Smoke Free Mumbai campaign and reach out to the youth of Mumbai at a large scale. The main aim was to form a youth support group for the campaign and promote the cause of highlighting the hazards of passive smoking and educating the general public about the Smoke Free Public Places Law passed on 2nd October 2008. It is vital for the Smoke Free Mumbai campaign to generate proactive action from Mumbai citizens towards preventing instances of smoking in public places and to help in building public support towards “Aamchi Mumbai Smoke Free Mumbai”. Also, with an increasing number of tobacco users across the country, it is imperative to build youth support for a movement targeted at protecting the health of millions.</div><div>The campaign kick started in the month of December with Mithibai College Festival “Kshitij” and enthused to Sydenham College Festival “Brouhaha”. In the month of January SFM associated with Medical & Engineering college festivals which included KEM college festival, ”Aavishkaar” and VJTI college festival “Pratibimb”. Also with BGIMS, a management College. SFM is also associating with Nair College festival & J J Medical college festival coming up in February and March respectively. </div><div><br /></div>Smokefree Mumbaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08576574747023476879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755936733104974388.post-85904872263413393322010-04-03T02:29:00.000-07:002010-04-03T02:48:48.239-07:00Mumbaikars ran for a Smoke Free City in Mumbai Marathon 2010:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1_FlsTtV6ATkYAWcsPtb6XOPvewV01v0TSLjFjH3XGSNTvsg2QoyBoiWiHNJohkNgEBxAcHBkkf9Lw2naGmCk6alVTZk27tj7K6PZAO6yGiZJuX2vPWaC5mSehV3n9AxaZoLSxShLx4m/s1600/collagemarathon.bmp"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1_FlsTtV6ATkYAWcsPtb6XOPvewV01v0TSLjFjH3XGSNTvsg2QoyBoiWiHNJohkNgEBxAcHBkkf9Lw2naGmCk6alVTZk27tj7K6PZAO6yGiZJuX2vPWaC5mSehV3n9AxaZoLSxShLx4m/s320/collagemarathon.bmp" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455841989094819906" /></a><div>Education Committee and Tata Memorial Hospital promoted the cause by highlighting the hazards of passive smoking by participating in the Marathon. 300 Municipal School Children and 20 doctors from the Tata Memorial Hospital ran in the Mumbai Marathon to support Smoke Free Mumbai Campaign. This initiative involved educating the general public about the Smoke Free Public Places Law which was passed on 2nd October 2008.</div><div>About 100 volunteers comprised of students from various city colleges such as Rachna Sansad, BGIMS, G S Medical College, etc as well as volunteers from Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health contributed during the marathon. It was heartening to see the level of enthusiasm from the volunteer’s right from the beginning of the marathon, which started at the early hour of 7:00 AM, till it lasted. In the beginning itself they were given energizer food packets which consisted of sandwiches, burgers, sweet dishes, fruit concentrates and of course, water. The faces of the volunteers were painted with various anti tobacco messages such as “Smoke Kills” , “No Smoking”, etc. Individuals dressed in giant Cigarette Stub costumes, and volunteers wearing sign boards of smoke free Mumbai was loudly applauded by the spectators. </div><div>All individuals, involved in the effort, came together to make the event a huge success, especially the volunteers who gave their very best by remaining extremely energetic, patient and cheerful throughout the event. The municipal school children along with doctors from Tata Memorial hospital inspired thousands of participants with their spirit and optimism, and ensured maximum support for the campaign from the citizens of Mumbai. </div><div><br /></div>Smokefree Mumbaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08576574747023476879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755936733104974388.post-22268429730679162202010-04-03T02:28:00.000-07:002010-04-03T02:29:25.350-07:00Mumbai Hotels gives a “Thumbs Up” to Smoke Free Law!<div>The Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Mumbai (AHAR), which has membership exceeding 6500 eating establishments including hotels, restaurants, bars, etc. is a partner to the active implementation of the Smoke-Free Mumbai Campaign (SFM) that aims at ensuring a 100% compliance with the national smoke-free public places legislation notified last year. The Smokefree Mumbai Campaign in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai has already distributed over 5000 smoke-free signage to AHAR members. The campaign plans to cover all 6500 AHAR members and also other restaurants in the city by the year end. The campaign will also provide the signage in Marathi soon after. </div><div><br /></div><div>According to Mr. Alva, President of AHAR, at a Press Conference, The implementation of the law of Smoke free public places has received thumbs up from customers across segments. In fact, in the past few months there has been around 50% to 60% rise in the awareness among the customers about the harmful effects of smoking and passive smoking which has led to a positive change in customer response towards the ban. </div><div><br /></div><div>Research has also shown that improved air quality translates to decreased toxin exposure among employees. For example, among employees of the Norwegian establishments that enacted smoking bans, tests showed improved (decreased) levels of nicotine in the urine of both smoking and non-smoking workers (as compared with measurements prior to the ban). A recent study showed New Jersey bars and restaurants had more than nine times the levels of indoor air pollution compared to New York City, which had enacted the ban. </div><div>It is conclusive that the implementation of a smoke-free environment is the primary and most effective way to ensure that a non-smoker’s right to good health and right to breathe air devoid of smoke is given preference over a smoker’s right to smoke and cause harm to those around him/her. The government should effectively implement smoke-free laws and increase compliance through proper enforcement mechanism. Without enforcement, laws are of no use.</div><div><br /></div>Smokefree Mumbaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08576574747023476879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755936733104974388.post-65884479699483781722010-04-03T02:07:00.000-07:002010-04-03T02:19:00.463-07:00October 2nd 2009 - “Happy Birthday, Smoke Free Mumbai”<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFMgPUmHFYd_PU0Q76jp8A6avTluwlKFkCvtyMWEjaWyxisU1p3evc1949WN0Jxuy5_p2nqpjpJeE0hA1HUx2dxG9jVkFyNcUup4HqaRA3nGbfQAx0lwAm_X_7Ou3OB9dZ_evDpyTk5Ju/s1600/clip_image002.jpg"><img style="text-align: center;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFMgPUmHFYd_PU0Q76jp8A6avTluwlKFkCvtyMWEjaWyxisU1p3evc1949WN0Jxuy5_p2nqpjpJeE0hA1HUx2dxG9jVkFyNcUup4HqaRA3nGbfQAx0lwAm_X_7Ou3OB9dZ_evDpyTk5Ju/s320/clip_image002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455836440734958274" /></a><div>As Smokefree public places law completed a year on 2nd October 2009, Smokefree Mumbai campaign initiated an extensive awareness campaign through one of the leading Radio Channels in India – “Radio Mirchi”.</div><div>Ever since the smoke-free law was passed on October 2, 2008, all public places in India have fallen under its influence, resulting in the elimination of the menace of secondhand smoke and ensuring smoke-free surroundings for all. According to Dr. Surendra Shastri, Chairman of the Smokefree Mumbai campaign, "There is now overwhelming evidence that reduced exposure to cigarette smoke in public places reduces hospital admissions due to heart attacks. On September 21, 2009, the journal "Circulation” of the American Heart Association published a meta-analysis of 13 major studies that looked at heart attack incidences after the smoking ban was introduced in USA, Canada and Europe. The findings clearly indicated a drop in the total number of heart attacks by 17% within a year, accumulating to 36% over a three-year period. Studies commissioned by the NHS (National Health Services) in Britain and Scotland have also shown a fall in heart attack rates by 10 percent and 14 percent, respectively, a year after the introduction of the ban. The smoking ban in public places in Mumbai has seen an improvement in compliance by 30-60% over the last one year. Heart attack-related hospital admission rates in Mumbai over the last three years should be compared with those that would occur in the next two years to study whether similar immediate health benefits are evident in Mumbai too.”</div><div> </div><div>To celebrate the 1st birthday of the law Smoke Free Mumbai associated with the “Hi Mumbai” show with Radio Jockey- Jeeturaaj (most popular RJ in Mumbai) on Radio Mirchi between 7am -11 am for ‘Smokefree Week’. The following spokespersons had interacted with Jeeturaaj from 30th September to 3rd October 2009.</div><div>Dr Jairaj Thanekar- (M.B.B.S, D.P.H, D.H.A) Executive Health Officer, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) - Voice of Health department at MCGM, therefore his role for Smokefree law and its implementation gave inputs on Collaboration between MCGM and Smokefree Mumbai campaign since Oct 2, 2008.</div><div>Mr Santosh Shetty- Secretary, Association of Hotels and Restaurants of India (AHAR) discussed on the following topics - AHAR is one of the largest hotel associations of India with membership of approximately 6000 eating establishments across city and Smokefree Mumbai has partnership with AHAR. They target the middle and upper middle class populations. He has been associated with AHAR since 7 years. He also spoke about how the smokefree law has benefited their organization and the business since the law has been passed on Oct 2, 2008</div><div><br /></div><div>3rd October 2009 was dedicated for the creating awareness about the smokefree Mumbai campaign and its objective. Parth Bal, Manager Coordination at SFM & Surabhi Shastri, Web designer at SFM chat about the campaign and its efforts to make Mumbai Smokefree city and introduced the website www.smokefreemumbai.org to the audience.</div><div><br /></div>Smokefree Mumbaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08576574747023476879noreply@blogger.com0