During the Prizing Giving Ceremony of the National Info-Clip Competition held on 03 September 2020 at the R. Gandhi Science Centre, Bell Village, young people from different regions of the country were sensitized on the increased risk of mortality for COVID-19 due to smoking. Hon. Mr Stephan Toussaint, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, Dr Laurent Musango, WHO Representative in Mauritius, Honorary President of VISA, Mrs Veronique Leclezio and Mr Deowan Mohee, President of VISA as well as high officials of the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation attended the event.
The National Info-Clip Competition, launched in June 2020 in the context of the World No-Tobacco Day, aimed at encouraging young people to come up with preventive strategies to reduce the use of tobacco and nicotine among youth.
Hon Mr S. Toussaint, during his address, expressed his appreciation to WHO for the support provided during the COVID-19 outbreak. He highlighted the need to stay alert even if in the country there is no locally transmitted cases. “COVID-19 is present around the world”, said the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation. He added, “smoking affects your lungs and causes respiratory diseases”. The Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation emphasized, “smokers have high risks of complications due to COVID-19”. He encouraged young people to practice sports and benefit from the sports and recreational programmes offered by his ministry.
