The first Government Tobacco Free Center in Nagpur district has been started at Kamptee sub-district Hospital in association with the Department of Public Health, Bajaj Electricals Foundation. The centre offers treatment and counselling facilities for tobacco addicts.
Consumption of tobacco products is increasing in the state including Nagpur. It includes the consumption of kharra, gutkha, panmasala and smoking of other tobacco products including bidi-cigarettes.
The Global Adult Tobacco Survey revealed that 28 per cent of children between the ages of 15 and 18 are addicted to tobacco products or smoking.
The state government and Bajaj Foundation are working together to reduce these numbers under which the up-to-date centre was launched at Kamptee.
Bajaj Foundation has provided chairs, tables, carbon monoxide meters and other materials through its social responsibility fund. Training has also been provided. A dentist and a counsellor will be present at the centre.