Dignitaries at the State-level consultation on Friday.
| Photo Credit: B. VELANKANNI RAJ
The Cancer Institute (WIA) organised a State-level consultation on Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).Held ahead of World No Tobacco Day, observed annually on May 31, the consultation focused on strengthening tobacco control measures through multi-sectoral collaboration and safeguarding public health policies from tobacco industry interference.The event was organised in collaboration with the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, along with other organisations working in the field of tobacco control. This year’s World No Tobacco Day theme is ‘Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing tobacco industry tactics on tobacco and nicotine products.’Among those who participated were A. Somasundaram, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine; Arvind Krishnamurthy, Deputy Medical Director, Cancer Institute (WIA); and Arun Suraj, Secretary, Indian Dental Association–Madras Branch.Tobacco continues to be one of the leading preventable causes of cancer and premature deaths in India, accounting for more than 1.35 million deaths annually. Nearly 40% of cancer cases in India are linked to tobacco use.As part of the observance, the institute has also planned awareness campaigns, an anti-tobacco rally, IEC material distribution drives and outreach activities targeting youth and tobacco users. Published - May 30, 2026 05:30 am IST
