Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Dec 16: Paduperar village in Mangaluru taluk, Dakshina Kannada district, has been officially declared a tobacco-free village under the district health department’s tobacco-free initiative, making it the first village in the district to achieve this milestone.
Dr Naveen Chandra Kulal, district tobacco control officer, told The New Indian Express, “Paduperar is the first village in the district to receive this recognition. The sale of all tobacco products has been completely prohibited here.”
Paduperar, located about two kilometres from Bajpe on the outskirts of Mangaluru, has a population of approximately 2,225 families, according to local administration records.
Local authorities engaged villagers and shopkeepers to stay away from tobacco products, including beedis, cigarettes and pan masala. The panchayat team also visited anganwadis and schools to raise awareness about the initiative.
The village has 12 shops that previously sold tobacco products. Retired Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) Uggappa Mulya said, “For the past year, I have been striving to make this village tobacco-free. Along with health officials, I visited these shops and consulted villagers. With the support of the District Tobacco Control Cell, we held meetings with all organisations, including panchayat members, villagers, women’s self-help groups and youth forums. Everyone agreed to stop the sale of tobacco products in Paduperar. We also raised awareness among villagers and shopkeepers about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption. In August this year, we successfully achieved this goal.”
Mulya, who has been awarded the Gandhi Grama Puraskar for his contribution to rural development, also led awareness programmes for women involved in beedi rolling, urging them to avoid tobacco use.
As per the state government’s tobacco control assessment guidelines, Paduperar scored 129 out of 150 points, making the tobacco-free status valid for one year. The health department has now installed a plaque officially declaring Paduperar as a tobacco-free village.
Dr Naveen Chandra emphasised the importance of collective community participation in making an area tobacco-free. “We have submitted a report to the state government and expect a certificate officially recognising the village as tobacco-free. Awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco products has increased significantly. Across the state, over 150 villages have achieved tobacco-free status. In the coming days, we will continue our efforts to make more villages in Dakshina Kannada tobacco-free,” he said.