Award to the Best Smoke-free Durga Puja 2015
Award to the Best Smoke-free Durga Puja 2018 as part of Sharod Shree 2018
organised by UDEAS
Durga Puja is a festival about the triumph of good over evil.
Similarly taking steps in protecting ones health is a triumph of the good.
No smoking is to be allowed in Puja pandals areas.
Tobacco is harmful
Tobacco is the cause of much death and disease the world over. According to WHO, tobacco use is a risk factor for 6 of the 8 major diseases that cause death across the world. In India there are 274.9 million tobacco users (GATS 2010) and tobacco use is responsible for 10 lakh deaths every year due to cancers, diseases of the heart, lungs etc. These figures are ever-increasing which indicates that in the coming years there will be increased mortality leading to an epidemic.
Smoking of cigarette, bidi, hookah etc. are harmful both for the smoker and non-smokers around. Second-hand smoke from the smoker leads to passive smoking harming innocent individuals – children, women, old people etc. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS, 2010), in West Bengal, 49% of the population is exposed to second hand smoke at workplaces and 62% is exposed at home. This indeed is alarming because despite government restrictions by way of a public health law (Cigarettes & Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003) it has not translated into health protection.
The Campaign
Cancer Foundation of India (CFI) had been committed to tobacco control for several years and has been instrumental in developing strategic programmes on cancer awareness. This year Durga Puja was also chosen as the occasion to attract attention to passive smoking. Award to the Best PANSARI Masala & Pachak presents Smoke-free Puja 2018 is a unique public campaignl. The campaign is part of Sharod Shree 2018 being organised by UDEAS.
Durga Puja is the biggest festival in Bengal stretching over 5 days and during this period people come out of their homes to visit the pandals. According to COTPA 2003, all pandals and their adjoining areas are designated public places hence there cannot be any smoking allowed which means the place has to turn smoke-free. This unique campaign is a means to inform people that Smoking in any form is harmful and everybody must take equal responsibility in prohibiting it. Even during festivities we should not forget about caring for others and be mindful towards not harming innocent pandal visitors many among whom are children and women. Non-smokers on the other hand must demand clean air by asking a smoker not to smoke around them.
Non-smokers must know that they are legally empowered to
ask smokers not to smoke around them while in a
public place like Puja pandal.
Every Puja participating in Sharod Shree 2018 is mandated to abide by the following rules to be considered for the award:
- No Smoking of cigarette, bidi, hookah etc. allowed inside Puja Pandal and adjoining areas including Puja office
- All entry and exit gates of Puja area must display govt. approved ‘No Smoking’ signage
- No display of ashtray, lighter etc. within puja premises or office area
- Designate person in charge to address complaints of norms violation
- All Puja volunteers to wear specific ‘No Smoking’ badges
However, innovative ways to promote no smoking within the Puja pandal area will be most appreciated.
