special postal covers on ‘Say No to Tobacco’

Bengaluru GPO Chief Postmaster S Shivaram and Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Director Dr. PL Nagaraj released a special cover on “Say No To Tobacco” in Bengaluru on July 10, 2017. According to World Health Organization (WHO), over seven million people die every year, more than 6 million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use.

A special postal cover that highlights the ill effects of tobacco was released in the state on Monday.The postal cover, which costs Rs 25, along with a stamp, intends to create awareness among members of the public on the hazards caused by the use of tobacco.

“We usually forget the importance of the day as soon as it isover. But a postal cover will remain as a collectible. The picture on the envelope will convey the message to the public and spread awareness among them,” said Rajendra Kumar, postmaster general of south Karnataka region, after releasing the stamp.

He said that there is a high economic cost due to tobacco’s ill effects and it should be eliminated. He added that the envelope was thoughtfully designed to spread awareness.

The release of the new postal cover was in the backdrop of ‘World No Tobacco Day’ on May 31.According to Global Adults Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2009-2010, 28.2% adults in Karnataka use tobacco, out of which 39.8% are males and 16.3% are females. The exposure to second hand smoke is 42% at work places and 37.2% in public places in the state.