The government has announced the establishment of tobacco cessation centers in all medical institutions and hospitals throughout Jammu Kashmir.
In line with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s (MOHFW) operational guidelines and the medical ethics code, this initiative aims to upgrade the skills of medical students.
According to the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Council, “As per the National Medical Commission guidelines, an Indian Medical Graduate should recognize ‘Health for all’ as a national goal and the health right of all citizens. Medical training should equip graduates to fulfill their social obligations and achieve competence in holistic medicine, covering promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative aspects of common diseases.”
The communiqué sent to the principals and deans of all medical colleges states that given the importance of tobacco cessation services, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued operational guidelines for establishing tobacco cessation centers in medical institutions.
Tobacco use remains a leading preventable cause of death and disease worldwide, resulting in over 8 million deaths annually. In India, tobacco use leads to nearly 1.3 million deaths each year, causing serious conditions such as cancer, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
According to the second Global Adult Tobacco Survey Report of 2016-17, the prevalence of tobacco use among adults (15 years and above) in Jammu and Kashmir is about 24%, with 39.7% of men and 6.2% of women using tobacco. The fourth Global Youth Tobacco Survey Report of 2019 indicates that over 11% of youths (13 to 15 years old) in Jammu and Kashmir use tobacco.
The communiqué further urges, “All heads of medical institutions and hospitals in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are requested to establish tobacco cessation centers in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. They should also conduct regular continuing medical education (CME) sessions on the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA-2003) and enhance the skills of students as per the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Council’s Code of Medical Ethics.”
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