FJDC organises event to mark 'World No Tobacco Week'

KARACHI: Fatima Jinnah Dental College (FJDC) recently observed World No Tobacco Week. The event lasted for a week, starting from May 31 till June 6. 

According to the World Health Organization, the event highlighted that the epidemic of tobacco smoking had been one of the biggest public health threats. It kills around 8 million people each year around the globe. In comparison, around 1.2 Million people become the victim of second-hand smoke and face various other health hazards associated with tobacco.

Meanwhile, FJDC also held an online seminar on 'World No Tobacco Day.' The purpose of the event was to create as much awareness about this important issue as possible. Presentations were given by six students of 2nd year BDS (Batch-28). The judges and speakers included Prof. Ambrina Qureshi, head of Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Dr Sidra Moinuddin, associate professor, community and preventive dentistry, Ziauddin University (ZU), Dr Gulrukh Askary, Director Academics and head of Department of Oral Pathology, FJDC, Dr Sabiha Mirza, vice-principal and head of Department of Pathology, FJDC.  

Dr Hussain Askary, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and head of Department of Dental Public Health, FJDC, said, “We see this week as an opportunity to make people aware of the harmful effects of consuming tobacco. We must encourage people to say no to smoking and other tobacco use. The World No Tobacco Day Theme for 2021 is “Commit to Quit.” We must realize the need of creating healthy policies and a supportive environment. Our campuses are "No smoking zones", and there are no designated smoking areas either. We must support our families, friends, colleagues, students and patients who are trying to quit by utilizing professional and evidence-based methods”. 

At the end of the seminar, feedback from the faculty and guests of honours reflected that this online seminar helped students develop good presentation skills and encouraged them to be more confident while communicating on online platforms. 

Prof. Ambrina Qureshi commented, "I've always liked the brilliant lot of students of FJDC. FJDC has maintained the quality of professional dental education for decades. I am proud of being an FJDCian myself” 

FJDC’s faculty and students appreciated this online seminar. FJDC being one of the pioneers of oral health education has always emphasised these important topics. The college aims to continue having such awareness sessions for its students and faculty, to enlighten everyone.

-DN Report