World Anti Tobacco Day: 'Scooter Yatra' to Nepal

Lucknow, May 30 (UNI) To create awareness regarding the menace of tobacco on the eve of World Anti Tobacco Day, a Lucknow-Nepalganj 'scooter yatra' was flagged off here this evening.

The 'Anti Tobacco Awarness Yatra' has been organised by Maseeha Cancer Foundation of India (MCFI) in association with Red Cross.

The rally was flagged off from the Indian Red Cross Bhawan in Quiserbagh area.

Dr T Rizvi, deputy secretary, MCFI said an estimated 65 crore people consume tobacco daily around the world, while millions of them die annually due to tobacco-related diseases, including cancer.

India accounts for almost a million deaths attributed to tobacco.

''Tobacco results in economic losses to the tune of Rs 270 crore annually for India, which could be saved with awareness among the people for this scourge,'' she noted.

The 'scooter ralliests' would be joined by other Red Cross members along the way to Nepal via Barabanki, Jarwal and Nanpara.

The Foundation has demanded that the act and rules relating to tobacco be adhered to strictly.

UNI