Gautam Buddha Nagar: Under the National Tobacco Control Programme, World No Tobacco Day 2026 was observed on a large Scale across Gautam Buddh Nagar district on 31 May 2026. The objective of the campaign was to raise awareness among the Public, Especially Youth, about the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine consumption and to encourage the creation of a tobacco-free Society.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Narendra Kumar Stated that the theme for this Year World No Tobacco Day is “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction.” The theme aims to expose the deceptive and manipulative marketing Strategies used by the tobacco industry to attract Young People and to make Society aware of their harmful Consequences.
Additional Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shubhra Mittal emphasized that tobacco consumption is extremely harmful to human health. The use of tobacco Significantly Increases the risk of lung cancer, oral cancer, and several other forms of cancer. Within minutes of Smoking, heart rate and blood Pressure begin to rise, While carbon monoxide levels in the blood increase, replacing oxygen. This Places additional Strain on the cardiovascular system and reduces Physical Performance. Smokers often experience reduced Stamina, Persistent coughing and a diminished sense of taste and Smell.
She further explained that the long-term consequences of tobacco use are even more severe. In addition to lung cancer, diseases Such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), emphysema and Chronic bronchitis gradually impair lung function, making breathing increasingly difficult. Smokers are at a Significantly higher risk of heart disease and Stroke and their Chances of developing coronary heart disease are two to four times Greater than those of non-Smokers. Tobacco users are also more Susceptible to oral cancer, gum disease, tooth loss and other dental Disorders.
District Consultant Dr. Shweta Khurana highlighted that tobacco and nicotine industries employ various tactics to attract Young consumers. These include colorful and appealing Packaging, flavored e-cigarettes, nicotine Pouches and vapes in flavors such as Strawberry and mango, as well as Portraying tobacco Products as Stress-Relieving tools through Social Media and films. She Stressed the importance of Protecting Youth from these misleading Strategies. Accordingly, all educational institutions in the district were instructed through the District Inspector of Schools and the Basic Education Officer to organize awareness and training Programs based on this Year Theme.
She also informed that the Police Department would ensure Strict enforcement of Section 6 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, Which Prohibits the Sale of tobacco Products within a 100-Yard radius of educational Institutions.
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, a wide range of awareness activities were conducted in educational institutions and health facilities throughout the District. Schools organized Poster-making competitions, Street Plays, Rangoli competitions, seminars, Pledge-taking ceremonies and signature Campaigns.
As Part of the campaign, IMS College, Sector-62, Noida through Salam Namaste Radio, organized an interactive discussion and Poster competition. Rama Devi International School, Greater Noida conducted rangoli and Poster competitions. Shambhu Dayal Public School, Sorakha held a Seminar and Pledge ceremony. GR Global Academic, Dadri organized Poster competitions and Pledge-taking events. Similar activities were conducted at Adarsh Public School, Sri Chaitanya School, Mayoor School, Indus Valley Public School, Kothari International School, JKG International School, Summer Villa International School, IIMT College, Paras Public School, Maharaja Kumbha International School, Jawahar High School and Kailash Nursing College, among Others.
The Health Department also organized special awareness Programs across healthcare institutions in the district. Activities included seminars, rallies, Street Plays, health talks, Poster competitions, Signature campaigns and Pledge ceremonies at the District Combined Hospital, Noida, Community Health Centres in Bisrakh, Dadri, Bhangel, Badalpur, Jewar, and Dadha Kasna, as well as at 58 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and 9 Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandir (U-AAM) Centres.
At Ambedkar Bhawan in Chithera Village, Dadri, a team from Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida organized seminars, Poster competitions, Street Plays, health talks and awareness activities. Similarly, the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Greater Noida conducted health education sessions, distributed educational materials and Pamphlets, organized Street Plays, special awareness camps and Pledge-taking Programs.
Concluding the event, CMO Dr. Narendra Kumar Stated that these activities are aimed at motivating People, Particularly Young individuals, to Stay away from tobacco Products such as cigarettes, bidis, gutkha, Pan masala and other nicotine-based Products. He informed that individuals Struggling with tobacco addiction can avail themselves of free counseling and treatment services at Tobacco Cessation Centres operated by the District Tobacco Control Cell.
He urged residents of the district to actively Participate in building a tobacco-free Society and to Protect themselves and their families from the harmful effects of tobacco use.
