Bridge of Hope Centers Conduct Anti-Tobacco Rallies
August 13, 2009
There are about 120 million smokers in India. In some areas, smoking is deeply rooted in culture and tradition. |
This spring, Gospel for Asia Bridge of Hope centers in Manipur, India, took measures to fight a national health problem.
India has around 120 million tobacco users—about 10 percent of its population. India's Health Minister, Anbumani Ramadoss, projected that smoking will cause around 1 million deaths per year in India. Although a national ban on smoking in public places was issued on October 2, some of the poorer states have claimed they lack enough health officers to enforce the law.
To present an anti-tobacco program, one Bridge of Hope center collaborated with local organizations and clubs. Guest speakers talked about tobacco's danger to health. They asserted that producing and using tobacco should be banned.
During this event, students, teachers, club members and dignitaries held placards displaying anti-smoking slogans in both English and local languages. Slogans included "Tobacco shortens life"; "Chewing of tobacco is harmful to health"; "Tobacco is the source of Cancer"; "Tobacco kills gradually"; and "Avoid tobacco to avoid death." One placard, mixing biblical metaphor with the current campaign, read "Saul Killed 1,000, David Killed 10,000 but Tobacco Kills 100,000."
Similar rallies occurred at the other Bridge of Hope centers in Manipur, and different groups of people offered feedback about the effectiveness of this campaign. Please pray that God will use these anti-tobacco rallies to begin a domino effect enacting a more healthy society.
