GANDERBAL, NOVEMBER 19: District Administration Ganderbal today led a massive awareness rally under the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0, bringing together students, health workers, and officials to voice a collective stand against the dangers of tobacco.
Organised by the Education and Health Departments Ganderbal, the rally set off from the Mini Secretariat and was flagged off by Additional District Development Commissioner(ADDC), Manzoor Ahmed Bhat, along with Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ganderbal, Khalil Poswal from Mini-Secretariat Ganderbal.
Scores of students from various educational institutions, ASHA workers, and departmental officials walked shoulder-to-shoulder, raising slogans like “Say No to Tobacco, Yes to Health” as they moved through Duderhama Market and Beehama Market before concluding at the SSP Office Ganderbal. The energy and determination of the students gave the rally a powerful emotional resonance.
Earlier, ADDC Ganderbal administered the Anti-Tobacco Pledge, urging participants to commit themselves to healthier choices and a tobacco-free future.
Addressing the gathering, SSP Ganderbal described tobacco consumption as a silent but devastating threat that harms not only the user but everyone around them. He encouraged students to become vigilant anti-tobacco volunteers and to report any instance of smoking within 100 yards of educational institutions or in public spaces. He reassured them that strict action would be taken against violators to ensure safer surroundings for all.
ADDC emphasised the lifelong consequences of tobacco addiction and urged students to never succumb to its trap. He called upon the youth to become ambassadors of health and awareness in their homes, schools, and communities, spreading the message of a tobacco-free life.
The event witnessed the presence of the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Education Officer, besides officers and officials from various departments who pledged their continued support to building a healthier Ganderbal.
