Can’t quit? Smokers can now ask govt for help

Modeled on the Bhagidari scheme,the smoke-free Delhi campaign will involve former smokers inspiring smokers to quit,doctors in cessation clinics providing drugs to keep smokers off nicotine. NGOs and Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs) will also form support groups to provide ‘psycho-social’ support to tobacco users.

“The civil society,eminent personalities and local neighbourhood groups will decide how best to help those reaching out to them. The state government will create awareness about the cessation programme and provide money for these smokers’ support groups. We will try out this model for a year,” said Dr RP Vashisht,head of Delhi Anti-Smoking Cell.

The Delhi government has allotted Rs 40 lakh for the pilot project.

Launching an interactive website on World No Tobacco Day,Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the government was determined to make Delhi smoke-free.

“The government has taken many initiative to ensure we achieve our targets in the stipulated timeframe. We have roped in organisations that will increase community awareness and work for capacity building of health workers and providers by training ASHA workers and doctors,” Dikshit added.

In its first phase,the community based pilot project has been introduced in five areas of East and South Delhi — Sunder Nagri,Nand Nagari,Gandhi Nagar,Shastri Park and Hauz Khas.