Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences (KIDS) Observes World No Tobacco Day

On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, Dr Jugajyoti Pathi, Deputy Director (Administration), spearheaded an initiative inspired by our Founder, Dr Achyuta Samanta's "Art of Giving" concept. To commemorate the day, the NSS unit and Department of Public Health Dentistry at Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences (KIDS), a constituent of KIIT Deemed-to-be-University, Bhubaneswar, held a variety of programmes and events on May 30th and 31st, 2023.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) member states founded World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) in 1987 to promote awareness of the tobacco pandemic and unnecessary fatalities. Every year on May 31, people around the world commemorate WNTD. The yearly event educates the public on what people throughout the world can do to claim their right to health and a healthy lifestyle, as well as to protect future generations.

In addition to being a serious threat to food insecurity, tobacco also poses a risk to public health, including that of tobacco growers. Farmers are exposed to toxic pesticides, tobacco smoke, and as much nicotine as there is in 50 cigarettes, which can cause ailments like chronic lung disorders, oral cancers and nicotine poisoning.  The WNTD theme for 2023 is “We Need Food, Not Tobacco,” which aims to persuade tobacco farmers to switch to sustainable and nutritious crops by promoting knowledge of alternative marketing and production strategies.

In India, one of the most common cancers is oral cancer. Dentists play a major role in the early detection of oral malignancies, which are mainly caused by tobacco use in all its forms. The cancer can be treated if it is identified early. 

In the end, Dr Kajal Parashar, Dy. Director, CEC, Programme Coordinator KIIT NSS Bureau, extended her world of thanks to the entire faculty and students of KIDS for their active and enthusiastic involvement during the entire event.