No Tobacco Day: Road show held

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ‘I love my family,’ ‘No tobacco in my life, ‘Watch out before it puts you out’  - these slogans filled the posters and placards in the road show organised by GIST as a part of its one-month ‘No Tobacco Creative Campaign’ to popularise the message among the public.Generating Ideas For Social Transformation (GIST), an online community, as part of its ‘No Tobacco Creative Campaign’, had organised the road show in connection with the World No Tobacco Day here on Tuesday. The show also featured the  effigy of  a cigarette too. Film actor Suresh Gopi flagged off the road show at Central Railway Station. The actor remembered the days when he was a chain smoker and the problems it gave him. Now, he said, he is happy about his decision to quit smoking.Suresh Gopi and Miss Universe runner-up Parvathy Omanakuttan addressed the crowd at Museum. ‘’I think society should understand the aims of such campaigns initiated by youth. I always wanted people to understand the ill-effects caused by smoking,’’ said Suresh Gopi. "I am happy that I became a part of this campaign for a good cause,’’ said Parvathy Omanakuttan. "Most youngsters start smoking mostly because of peer pressure and they never think about the problems it causes. I urge them to avoid smoking to lead a happy, healthy life. Say No to tobacco and Yes to life,’’ she added.The road show ended by burning the effigy of the cigarette at Shangumugam and burying the urn in the Arabian Sea. Poet D Vinayachandran addressed the gathering. The road show also included awareness programmes and a signature campaign.No Tobacco Day ObservedVarious organisations observed the World No Tobacco Day in the city on Tuesday. The Deseeya Malayala Vedi (DMV) demanded a ban on tobacco and intoxicants such as ‘Pan Parag’ and strict enforcement of the law prohibiting smoking in public places.  DMV also organised an awareness campaign among students. Ekalavyashram head Swami Ashwathy Tirunal inaugurated the meeting.Former KTDC chairman Cherian Philip inaugurating a meeting organised by the Deseeya Lahari Nirmarjana Vedi which  demanded a total ban on tobacco products. The Vedi is also organising essay and poetry competitions on the ‘no tobacco’ theme. For details, call 9142320334, 9747169273.