Jointly by Cancer Aid Society, CSMMU and SGPGIMS, 31st May 2008
World No Tobacco Day themed Tobacco Free Youth by WHO this year, yielded positive response for the denizens on Agenda: Smoke Free Lucknow jointly called by Cancer Aid Society, CSMMU, SGPGIMS and CMS Schools, as Honorable Medical and Health Minister Shri. Anant Kumar Misra declared all help from the Govt. in making the City Smoke Free. He emphasized that all the four Organisations should join hands to work together and achieve the impossible. Addressing as Chief Guest in the Symposium, organized by the Cancer Aid Society and Dept. of Surgical Oncology CSMMU, at the White Hall, He praised the Agenda as a good marketing strategy and lauded the efforts of the Cancer Aid Society giving a call that such programs should also be held in Rural settings.

Tobacco is the only consumer product which kills 50% of its regular user by causing life threatening diseases Heart, Lung and Cancer. Tobacco use is increasing in alarming proportions according to WHO 80000 to 100000 youth starts smoking across the World Daily out of which 14% are in the age group of 13 to 15 years. Tobacco causes 30–35% of all Cancer Deaths. Tobacco smoke contains 4000 Chemicals out of which 60 are known Carcinogens causing various cancers were some of the statistics disclosed during the symposium.

The program started with Saraswati Vandana, followed by the Lightening of Lamp by the Honorable Shri. A. K. Misra, Minister Medical and Health UP who was the Chief Guest. Prof. Arun Chaturvedi, Dept. of Surgical Oncology CSMMU welcomed the Chief Guest and other dignitaries. Mr. Piyush Gupta PEO Cancer Aid Society highlighted the Genesis and relevant Tobacco Regulation Act 2003. Delivering the Key Note address Prof. AK Mahapatra Director SGPGIMS highlighted on the Tobacco Menace and strong will and concerted effort to fight it out. Delivering the Presidential Address Prof. SC Gopal, Vice Chancellor, CSMMU emphasized on the need for implementing the Tobacco Legislation in the State.

Honorable Chief Guest felicitated Padamshree Prof. MC Pant, HOD Radiotherapy and Vidya Ratan Prof. ID Sharma, HOD Surgical Oncology of CSMMU for their outstanding work towards the community.

Technical sessions were conducted by Dr. Arun Chaturvedi, Dr. N. B. Singh and Mr. OP Berry. High profile Speakers Dr. A. K. Shukla CMO Lucknow, Dr. Nityanand – Retd. Director CDRI, Dr. P. K. Seth – CEO Biotech Park & Former Director ITRC, Mr. Jagdish Gandhi – Founder Manager City Montessori Schools, Dr. Anil Agarwal and Dr. Shushma Agarwal from SGPGIMS, Dr. Yogeshwar Shukla, Deputy Director ITRC expressed their views. Consumer Organisations Avadh Upbhokta Sanrakshan Samiti, Consumer Guild etc. expressed their solidarity.

Dr. D. P. Gupta President Cancer Aid Society gave Vote of thanks and initiated a rally From Administrative Block to Main Gate was taken out Declaring the launch of the National Campaign on Tobacco Free Youth organized by Avadh Upbhokta Sanrakshan Samiti, Consumer Guild etc. and the Social workers of Cancer Aid Society.