Chennai: The Union ministry of health and family welfare has launched a national media campaign titled- ‘What damage will this Cigarette/Bidi Do?’ to encourage smoking cessation.
The campaign will encourage smokers to quit tobacco use and national quit help line numbers have also been launched to advice smokers’ on quitting.
The public service announcement by the ministry prompts smokers to understand the impact of each cigarette that causes heart attacks, cancer, lung disease, and more. ‘What Damage Will This Cigarette/Bidi Do’ shows that smoking causes stroke, lung and mouth cancer, heart disease and emphysema, among other diseases?
It encourages smokers to quit tobacco use and ends with the national quit line number (1800-11-2356) and a missed call number (011-22901701) for smokers who want advice on quitting. The campaign will be broadcasted in 17 languages through various social media campaign and digital platforms. Vital Strategies is to partner with the health department to promote the campaign.
Dr Nandita Murukutla, vice president, Vital Stra tegies, said, “According to the latest Global Adult Tobacco Survey, more than 90 percent of current adult smokers are aware that smoking and exposure to second hand smoke causes serious illness. This campaign graphically shows the specific, proven harms of tobacco smoke, prompting smokers to think about making the healthy choice to quit. Vital Strategies is pleased to partner with the Ministry of Health in delivering this campaign.”
