Health and Family Welfare Minister Lalrinliana Sailo launched today the Mizoram State Tobacco Control Society's Smoke Free Mizoram website "www.smokefreemizoram.nic.in" at I&PR Conference Hall.

Speaking at the function, the Health Minister said tobacco has lots of injurious effects and that it causes cancer and many other illnesses. Tobacco and tobacco products are fought against by the world, by India and even Mizoram, and efforts are being made to project Mizoram to be a smoke free state, he added. The Minister requested the support and aid of the Church leaders and NGOs to make a smoke free Mizoram.

The inauguration function started with Welcome Speech from Dr. D. Baruah, Director, Hospital & Medical Education, followed by a Short Speech on the Website from Dr. Jane R. Ralte, State Nodal Officer cum Project Officer, Smoke Free Mizoram. Lalhmachhuani, Web Coordinator, NIC gave the Technical Report and Thanseia, Secretary, Indian Society of Tobacco and Health (Mizoram Chapter) delivered the Concluding Speech.

Smoke Free Mizoram website is developed to counter the growing influence of tobacco and tobacco products to the Mizo youths, to give information about Mizoram State Tobacco Control Society (MSTCS) and to help in solving problems regarding tobacco and tobacco products. The website is developed and hosted by National Informatics Center (NIC).