Aizawl, Jun 1 : Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla
today lamented the fact that use of tobacco in different forms
was highly prevalent in the Mizo society which has resulted in
high incidence of cancer in the state.
Addressing a function on the occasion of the World No
Tobacco Day and launching the Blue Ribbon campaign in the
state, Lal Thanhawla said that efforts were being made to make
Mizoram a smoke-free state.
Lal Riliani, wife of Lal Thanhawla and president of
the Indian Society on Tobacco and Health (Mizoram chapter)
also said that smoking was highly rampant in Mizoram at 95 per
cent in residential homes while 98 per cent of the families
allowed people to smoke inside their houses.
She also emphasized the need for creating mass
awareness on passive smoking or second hand smoke which can
cause cancer to even non-smokers.