Chandigarh, January 12
‘‘Education and awareness among smokers to quit smoking has failed miserably and only thing that can help is a total ban imposed with punitive effect in the country,’’ stated Dr Rajesh Kumar, Head, Department of Community Medicine, PGI, during a discussion on smoking and its addiction organised by the Indian Public Health Association (IPHA) at the PGI to mark anti-tobacco day today on the occasion of the National Youth Day.

Doctors, psychologists and lawyers were part of this discussion in which almost every aspect of the problem, including the habit of smokers, its addiction, their family problems and the need to quit smoking, was discussed.

Dr Kumar said that the cases of relapse were so high in smokers that education was ineffective, what was required was that the ban be imposed strictly and taxes on cigarettes be hiked. ‘‘The logic of the government that the bidi process be kept low since the poor smoke bidi has no justification. Its like saying that we continue to give poison to the poor since it is free.’’

Dr Thakur said that the problem could be taken care of through legal means but more important was the need for social support to the ban. ‘‘Without a mass desire to change things, legal impositions can prove useless.’’ he said.

Earlier, Dr Sutapa of the department, had talked to the participants about the extent of the problem across the world and India.

Earlier, the Director, PGI, had flagged off a rally from PGI’s administrative block and made an appeal to all departments to make PGI a smoking-free zone. An ‘anti-tobacco day’ declaration was also framed and signed by presidents of all associations in PGI and anti-tobacco volunteers were enrolled who will work towards making PGI a smoke free zone.

Meanwhile, the Servants of People Society, Lajpat Rai Bhavan, organised a drug, alcohol awareness workshop at Police Lines Sector 26 and Bus Stop Sector 17 to commemorate anti tobacco day.

Chandigarh, January 12
Pradeep Kumar of Bon Sante, was declared 'Mr Sub-Junior Chandigarh' while Rabinder Pal Singh, also of Bon Sante, was adjudged ‘Junior Mr Chandigarh' in the eighth Sub-Junior and 11th Junior Mr Chandigarh and first handicapped body-building Championships here today at DAV College, Sector 10. Mr Sunil Parti, Chairman Chandigarh Housefed, gave away the prizes.

Results — Sub-Junior Mr Chandigarh: Below 55 kg —Ajay Kumar 1, Sukhdev Singh 2, Kulwinder Singh 3. Below 60 kg —Sunil 1, Sanjay Kumar 2, Rakesh 3. Below 70 kg: Pradeep Kumar 1, Raghvir Singh 2, Arun Kumar 3. above 70 kg —Anshul Arora 1, Rajnish Kumar 2, Rakesh Kumar 3.

Junior Mr Chandigarh; Below 55 kg —Ajay Kumar 1, Sukhdev Singh 2, Amit Walia 3. Below 60 kg—Tejinder Singh 1, Mohinder Pal Gupta 2, Jagpreet Singh 3. Below 65 kg—Rabinder Pal Singh 1, Raj Kumar 2, Alexander 3. Below 70 kg — Pardeep Kumar 1, Raghubir Singh 2, Suresh Kumar 3. Below 75 kg — Mukesh Sagar 1, Anshul Arora 2, Deepak Sehgal 3. Above 75kg — Harpreet Singh 1, DigVijay 2, Amrinder Singh 3.