The launch ceremony of the “Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0,” an initiative of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in Majuli took place on the 4th October, 2024 at the DC conference Hall in addition to the District Level Co-ordination Committee (DLCC) Meeting on tobacco control. The launch ceremony commenced with the initiation of a signature campaign by the District Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police. The Hon’ble MLA, Majuli LAC, Sri Bhuban Gam also showed his support for the campaign by taking part in the signature campaign at his residence when the team led by Dr. Manik Mili, District Nodal Officer, District Tobacco Control Cell, Majuli visited him to seek his guidance and support.
A detailed discussion ensued during the course of the meeting under the chairmanship of the ADC(Health) Sri Saroj Sonowal where issues like achieving the targets set under the “TFYC 2.0” were discussed. All officials present on the occasion expressed concern about the proliferation of drug use, especially among the youths & promised their full cooperation to the praiseworthy initiative launched the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It is worth mentioning that the campaign seeks to achieve – at least 30 IEC campaigns, declaring at least 160 educational institutions as Tobacco-free Educational Institution (ToFEI), conducting a minimum of 16 enforcement drives, and declaring at least 20 villages as tobacco-free in every district. The event concluded with the vote of thanks followed by a group photo. All present were unanimous in their opinion that as conscious citizens of the country, it is our duty to safeguard the young generation from addiction of all kinds. Meanwhile, in another praiseworthy initiative led by the Secretary, DLSA, Majuli and her team, people from various walks of life displayed placards against tobacco use and lit earthen lamps as a mark of support to commemorate the “District No-Tobacco Day” which was notified by the District Commissioner on the 18th September 2024. The Divisional Coordinator (Tobacco Control) appealed to all present in the meeting to use the hashtags #savetheyouthcampaign#Absebandcampaign#Assamagainsttobacco#SayNotoTobaccosayyestolife for amplifying their anti-tobacco stance through social media.
