World No Tobacco Day
Expert Speaker Session
Venue: LT-1
Date:27/05/2025
Organized by: Department of Community Medicine and Department of Psychiatry
On 27th May, 2025, an expert session on the dangers of Tobacco consumption and how to quit tobacco was held by the Department of Community Medicine in collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry. The session was attended by Doctors, MBBS students, and security staff.
Dr. Sanjay Singh, State Program Officer for the National Tobacco Control Programme, shared valuable insights on Delhi’s efforts in combating tobacco use. He highlighted the harmful effects of tobacco and discussed current government policies. We were also privileged to have Prof. Shridhar Dwivedi, a lifelong crusader against tobacco, a renowned senior cardiologist at the National Heart Institute, and Former Dean of HIMSR, address the gathering. Prof. Dwivedi enriched the session by sharing real-life case studies, highlighting the devastating impact of tobacco on health, and reinforcing the need for sustained public health advocacy.
The session concluded with a presentation by Prof. Farzana Islam, Head of the Department of Community Medicine, who shared an overview of the profile of individuals visiting the Tobacco Cessation Centre (TCC). The presentation highlighted key trends, demographics, and clinical characteristics. Finally, Dr. Asma Aftab, Senior Resident in the Department of Community Medicine, shared a success story of a patient who had visited the Tobacco Cessation Centre (TCC) and had successfully quit tobacco use completely. The story served as a powerful example of how dedicated support and motivation can lead to positive behavioral change, reinforcing the impact and importance of tobacco cessation services.
Overall, the session was highly interactive, with the audience actively engaging and raising questions and doubts. This encouraged meaningful dialogue and reinforced the importance of awareness and education in tobacco control.
