Varanasi: The Department of Psychiatry at the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), organized a special programme on Saturday in the lead-up to World No Tobacco Day 2026, observed annually on May 31. The event was conducted under the theme 'Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction' with the objective of raising awareness about the detrimental effects of tobacco use and strengthening mental health services.
Key Highlights of the Event
Addressing the gathering, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi emphasized the necessity of moving beyond symbolic observances and developing sustained, community-level awareness campaigns against tobacco consumption, particularly targeting school children and young people. He noted that tobacco, whether smoked or chewed, leads to severe health consequences, including cancer, and often serves as a harmful coping mechanism that conceals underlying psychological vulnerabilities.
Expert Opinions
Prof. S. N. Shankhwar, Director of IMS, commended the Psychiatry Department for its dedicated efforts in advancing patient care and strengthening mental health services. Prof. Sanjay Gupta, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, observed that while smokers constitute nearly 10 percent of the population, users of smokeless and chewing tobacco account for nearly 20 percent, highlighting the widespread nature of tobacco addiction in its various forms.
The programme included interactive sessions, awareness materials, and discussions on strategies to combat nicotine addiction. Participants were encouraged to adopt healthier lifestyles and support others in quitting tobacco use. The event underscored the importance of integrating mental health support with tobacco cessation programmes to address the root causes of addiction.
