The Andhra Pradesh VHA translated and published the Telugu version of the advocacy brochure for MPs which was published by Voluntary Health Association of India in English and Hindi for the nation. The APVHA convened an Advocacy Programme for Legislatures of A.P. Legislative Assembly. The Telugu Information Kit was released by the Respected Sri N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Hon’ble Speaker, A.P. Legislative Assembly at 3.00 pm on 19th August 2009 at Committee Hall No: 1, Assembly Premises, Hyderabad. The APVHA invited Members of Legislatures, Member Organisations, other guests and dignitaries for the meeting.

Sri. K. Balakrishna Murthy, Board Member, APVHA welcomed the Chief Guest, and other dignitaries on the dais and Member organisations in the meeting. Prof. R. R. Swamy, President APVHA, presided over the function and key note address delivered by Ms. Seema N. Gupta, Coordinator, Advocacy, Anti Tobacco Programme, VHAI, New Delhi. She thanked the Hon’ble Speaker for the release of information kit and opportunity given to VHAI and the AP State VHA to have the meeting in their premises. She spokeon key advocacy issuesand requested the Hon’ble Speaker to recommend the Government to enhance the taxes on tobacco products and beedi rolling also.

Sri N. Kiran Kumar Reddy the Hon’ble Speaker of A.P. Assembly released the information kit which is in Telugu and extended copies to other Hon’ble Legislatures on the Dias in the meeting. In his address, he interacted with the Member NGOs and enquired about their activities and their involvement in Anti Tobacco activities and requested them to involve intensively in educating children from 10th year onwards instead of youth and middle age groups. He stressed that they are the children are the major affected groups. He explained in the meeting that, recently he requested the government to have separate room / lobby as a smoking zone and not to allow any legislative assembly members smoking in the assembly premises. He said that already heavy taxes are imposed by this Government.

The Hon’ble members also expressed their view to Hon’ble Speaker, requesting him to issue a order for self help groups, mahila sanghas for participating in anti tobacco programmes and alternative livelihood programmes for beedi workers who are suffering from various diseases - especially children of bidi rollers who do not experience the childhood and are deprived of basic education.

After the release, the information kit was distributed to all the Hon’ble Legislators present along with the Mementos and shawls.