As part of the 42nd National Pharmacy Week Celebrations, The Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) Tamil Nadu branch, in association with Tamil Nadu Pharmaceutical Sciences Welfare Trust and Tamil Nadu Pharmacy Council recently organized a theme session on 'Tobacco, its effect and tobacco cessation'.

V Thirumagal, director-Patients Care and Quality Assurance, TT Rangarajan Clinical Research Foundation, Chennai delivered a lecture on tobacco usage and its evils, to educate the members of the various associations.

She noted that while in developed countries consumption of tobacco has come down, there has been a significant rise in consumption of tobacco in the developing countries like India. Out of the 4000 chemicals that are found in tobacco, 43 are carcinogenic.

She also explained details related to health risks for the smoker due to use of tobacco, withdrawal symptoms, medications available and the role of pharmacists in cessation of tobacco.

A Krishnadev, president, IPA-Tamil Nadu presided over the function, which was well attended by members. S Lakshminarayanan, secretary of IPA, Tamil Nadu branch, proposed vote of thanks.