More than 50 Indian UNIFIL peacekeepers today participated in the Annual Health Awareness Walk, organized by Lebanese Red Cross in in the south-eastern Lebanese town of Marjayoun in close collaboration with the local Atallah Gym.
The walk was organised in support of World No Tobacco Day, which is observed every year on 31 May. This event was thus organised to make people aware of risks of smoking tobacco and encourage people to observe it as “No Smoking Day.”
Speaking on the occasion, Indian Battalion Commander Colonel Dhirendra Singh noted with grave concern the latest World Health Organization report, which has revealed that 45 per cent of Lebanese men and 35 per cent of women smoke and lung cancer incidence rates are among the highest in the region.
“So it is duty of everyone to spread the awareness among local population about the dangers of smoking and promote healthy way of life,” he said.
UNIFIL peacekeepers work close with the host population, showcasing the mutual trust and confidence between them which is the key to maintain the peace and stability in south Lebanon.