Parents should keep kids off smoking

At a workshop on the drug abuse prevention here today, experts said though the continued sale of addictive tobacco is driven by economic interests, the fact is that the government is spending on the health exigencies arising out of tobacco consumption at least four times of its annual revenue of Rs 12,000 crore from it.

The unique workshop on the progress made by the NGO “Upchaar” in their crusade against drug abuse, was organised by the Rotary Clubs. Kiran Bedi, in her address, called upon the community leaders to strengthen the existing efforts in drug abuse prevention and the counselling and rehabilitation of the victims. Delhi Health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, in his address, said the responsibility of saving the youth from the self-destructive addictions rested with the families rather than the counselling centres, doctors or the NGOs.