CHANDIGARH, January 16:
In a powerful appeal to the young population of the state, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Friday called for a united and youth-led fight against tobacco, describing the state’s youth as the ultimate architects of a healthier future.
Chairing a Youth Conclave titled “Building a Tobacco-Free Generation through Promotion, Adoption and Implementation of New Initiatives” at Panjab University here, the Health Minister exhorted students and young leaders to become role models and carry the momentum of tobacco control from campuses to communities and digital spaces. “Punjab’s strength lies in its youth. When young minds reject tobacco, the future of the state automatically becomes healthier, stronger and more productive,” he asserted.
The conclave, organized by the Generation Saviour Association (GSA) in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, Panjab University, Vital Strategies, SIPHER, and RCTC, PGIMER, brought together students, experts, and civil society leaders.
Dr Balbir Singh highlighted that tobacco not only affects human body but severely affects human mind also, making a person mentally sick , which leads to a plethora of mental health problems including suicide tendency. “Tobacco use leads to other harmful addictions of drugs as well as to crime, therefore we all should come forward to nip the evil in the bud and save our society.” he added.
The Minister underlined Punjab’s pioneering achievements in tobacco control, noting that the state has the lowest prevalence of tobacco use in the country as per the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). He credited this success to stringent enforcement of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), early action against e-cigarettes, a permanent ban on hookah bars, and the establishment of free tobacco cessation centres in all districts.
“These numbers reflect policy success, but the real victory will be when tobacco use becomes socially unacceptable. That change can only be driven by informed and empowered youth,” Dr Balbir Singh remarked. He also released a comprehensive 10-state study titled “Youth Perception in India Towards Creating a Tobacco-Free Generation” to underscore the importance of youth-centric strategies.
Dr Balbir Singh concluded with a clarion call for a united front, urging every citizen, especially the youth, to pledge for a tobacco-free lifestyle. “Let us all resolve to build a tobacco-free Punjab. Our collective resolve today will determine the health and prosperity of our generations tomorrow,” he said.
The event saw the participation of experts including Dr. Sonu Goel, Head, RCTC-PGIMER; Dr. Rakesh Gupta, President, SIPHER; Dr. Rana J. Singh, Regional Director, Vital Strategies; Dr. Mira Aghi; Ms. Opinder Preet Kaur Gill, Director GSA; Mr. Vivek Awasthi, Executive Director, UPVHA; and Mr. Saptarishi Basu Roy, MANT.
