JOIN USMembers of Youth Red Cross and students of Jain College held an Anti Tobacco campaign here on Wednesday.More than hundred students took out a rally with banners discouraging smoking. The rally began at VV Puram and passed through Minerva circle, KIMS and National College Circle.
Students also staged a street play on the ill effects of smoking and also tried to create an awareness on passive smoking, which could be more dangerous. Many of them felt that students get into smoking in early years of college. “Students use this as the crutch for dealing with personal problems. In such situations, friends have to identify the problem and help them get over the habit,” said Amruta, I PUC student of Jain College.
Amruta and her friends, part of the Youth Red Cross, have actively engaged themselves in helping people quit smoking. “We’ve been able to convince several of our friends not to smoke,” said another student, Siddharth. Peer pressure also plays a role in addiction, said the student opining that students should use their discretion and spend the money given to them wisely.
The students asked the government to strictly ban sale of tobacco, not just within 100 metres of college premises, but anywhere in the vicinity. They also felt the need for more rigorous awareness campaigns to speak about ill effects of tobacco.
Also present on the occasion were Kulkarni, chairman, Indian Red Cross Society, Darmappa, secretary, Indian Red Cross Society and S N Nataraj, principal, Jain College, V V Puram.