AGARATLA, March 26 (TIWN): A three day long anti-tobacco campaign was organized by district tobacco control cell at Agartala Press Club, here today. The anti-tobacco campaign will continue till March 28.

 Total 24 nos of teams comprosing of trained volunteers and ASHA facilitators will carry out the campaign in 24 number of spots namely Nagerjala Bus Stand, Joynagar Bus Stand, Battala Bus Stand and other areas of the city.

Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation Dr. Profullajit Sinha inaugurated the three day long anti-tobacco campaign. Other eminent dignitaries like secretary health M. Nagaraju, Deputy Mayor Samar Chakraborty were present.

 Easy availability of tobacco and lack of social sanction has made tobacco a problem of epidemic proportions amongst children especially in the lower socio economic strata. Every day, more than 55,000 children in India below the age group of 15 years are estimated to try tobacco for the first time. Five million Indian children are said to be addicted to tobacco. One third of them are likely to die a painful death due to this addiction. These marginalized children of India are severely deprived and have very little support from their families or society.