TMU Students Pledge for an Addiction-Free Life on World No Tobacco Day
In observance of World No Tobacco Day, the Teerthanker Mahaveer University (TMU) Dental College and Research Centre organised an impactful awareness programme aimed at promoting a tobacco-free lifestyle among students and the community. The initiative served to highlight the grave health consequences of tobacco use and encouraged collective efforts towards building an addiction-free society.
Keynote Insights on Tobacco's Harmful Effects
The event’s Chief Guest, Dr. M. P. Singh (Dean – Students' Welfare & Chief Proctor), spoke on the significance of No Tobacco Day, underlining that tobacco use poses a critical threat to public health and the future of youth. He urged all participants to abstain from tobacco and motivate others to do the same.
Dr. Neelima Jain, Director – Governance (Dental & Allied Health Sciences), graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. The programme was presided over by Dr. Pradeep Tangade, Principal of the college, while Dr. Ankita Jain, Vice Principal, also addressed the students, encouraging them to contribute actively towards the vision of a substance-free society.
Webinar on Strengthening Tobacco-Free Schools
The highlight of the event was a webinar delivered by Dr. Sahana Hegde-Shetia (MDS, PhD – Public Health Dentistry) on the topic: “Empowering Communities to Strengthen Tobacco-Free Schools: A Comprehensive Research Perspective.” She emphasised the role of community participation in achieving tobacco-free school environments and presented evidence-based strategies for effective implementation.
Creative Awareness Through Films and Competitions
The programme commenced with a short film created by BDS students and interns, effectively portraying the harmful effects of tobacco consumption. Following this, a health dialogue session featured postgraduate student speakers Dr. Sonal and Dr. Swayam, along with BDS students Vanshika Tyagi and Yogeshwari, who shared insights into addiction-related challenges and solutions.
A Tobacco-Free Pledge Ceremony was also held, in which students, faculty, and staff solemnly vowed to abstain from all forms of tobacco use. The event also included poster and video competitions, with winning entries receiving certificates of appreciation for their creativity and message impact.
NSS-Led Initiatives and Faculty Involvement
Under the aegis of the National Service Scheme (NSS), several activities were organised, coordinated by Dr. Upendra Malik, NSS Coordinator – Dental College. He played a pivotal role in both planning and executing the event.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from nearly 150 students, including BDS and postgraduate attendees. Faculty members, including Prof. Dr. Vikas Singh, Dr. Rupali Malik, and Dr. Harshita Pandey, made notable contributions to the smooth coordination and success of the event.
This collective initiative by the student council and faculty members of TMU’s Dental College stands as a testament to the university’s commitment to fostering a healthier, addiction-free academic environment.
