Under the theme 'Tobacco and lung health' world no Tobacco day was observed in Leh on May 31. The main objective was to carry out an annual campaign giving an opportunity to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form.

On the occasion, Gyal Wangyual, Deputy Chairman and Tsering Sangdup, EC Health jointly flagged off a school children rally near Chowkhang Vihara gate which passed through the main market raising anti-tobacco slogans and carrying banners and posters on the theme.  

Health Department Leh has organized a function at Leh main market where the Deputy Chairman, LAHDC, Leh Gyal P Wangyal was the chief guest while the Executive Councilor Health, Tsering Sangdup and eminent Physician Padmashri awardee Dr.Tsering Norboo were the guests of honor. Heads and representatives of religious organizations, CMO Leh Dr. Dorjey Motup and senior Doctors also present.

The speakers highlighted the negative impact of consuming tobacco and second-hand smoke exposure on people’s health and termed tobacco responsible for six million deaths annually across the world with two-thirds of lung cancer. It was disclosed that about 60,000 children die annually before the age of 5 of lower respiratory infections caused by second-hand smoke exposure. The speakers urged that the world tobacco day should become a call to action, advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption and engaging stakeholders in the fight for tobacco control.

Gyal P Wangyal, Deputy Chairman, Hill Council, Leh in his address felt the need of focusing on children, making them fully aware about the consequences and effects of smoking and use them as ambassadors in making Ladakh a free smoking land. He praised the unparalleled contributions of Dr. Tsering Norbu Physician in tobacco control. Gyal also appreciated the participant students of different schools to bring narrative anti-smoking posters and gave assurance of all possible assistance from Hill Council, Leh in making such campaigns result-oriented.

Tsering Sangdup, EC Health; Padmashri Dr. Tsering Norboo and Tsering Chondol, Representative Ladakh Women’s Alliance also spoke on the occasion.
Dr. Motup, Chief Medical Officer, Leh in his welcome address highlighted the WHO’s initiatives in observing the day and bringing out a smoking regulation worldwide to minimize the consumption of tobacco.

In the end, Dr. Iqbal Ahmad presented the vote of thanks. He underlined the activities of District Tobacco Control Society.

To mark the occasion, skits and songs on the theme of anti-tobacco were also presented by the Ladakh Film Society and Cultural Group.

In poster competition among the school children, Jigmet Norbu of Druk Padma Karpo bagged 1st position while Stanzin Namgyal of Ladakh Public School and Gyurmet Tsering of TCV school secured 2nd and 3rd position respectively.