Students warned against hazards of smoking
by Ananda Kannangara
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Maharagama will launch a cancer
awareness program islandwide shortly to educate schoolchildren on the
hazards of cigarette smoking.
According to reports over 18,000 new cancer patients seek treatment
at the NCI every year and the majority of them are affected with cancer
due to cigarette smoking.
Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa of the NCI told the Sunday Observer that over
75 percent of oral and lung cancer was caused due to cigarette smoking
and tobacco consumption and it is now time for responsible officials to
take tough action in this regard.
Although there was a significant drop in cigarette smoking among the
younger generation it is the duty of teachers and parents to create
awareness on the hazards of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption.
Dr. Rajapaksa who compared a cigarette to a cyanide capsule warned
schoolchildren to avoid being even in the vicinity of smokers.
Passive smoking could cause even heart attacks and strokes apart from
lung, oral and breast cancer. He cautioned teachers and parents to keep
a close eye on male students who could get addicted easily to smoking
and other tobacco related products, since tobacco is generally
recognised as the country’s number one killer. Dr. Rajapaksa thanked the
National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol, Chairman Prof. Carlo Fonseka
for enforcing the ban on the sale of tobacco related products in close
proximity to schools.
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