Assam based NGO Voluntary Health Association of Assam (VHAA) has urged the state government to strictly enforce the central Anti-Tobacco Act in Assam. The act bans smoking in public places, sale of tobacco products to minors and within 100 yards radius of educational institutions.

It may be mentioned here that May 31 is observed as World No Tobacco Day and the NGO has advocated a tobacco free world on the eve of the day.

According to World Health Orgaisation (WHO) data, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) kill more people than any other cause of death worldwide, and tobacco use and passive smoke exposure contribute to approximately 12% of all deaths related to heart disease.

Tobacco use is the second leading cause of CVD, after high blood pressure.