Flavours & Star Appeal are tobacco industry’s weapons to trap youth: SP, Telangana Eagle Force

Telangana Eagle Force SP P. Seetharam has cautioned young people against falling prey to the growing appeal of tobacco and nicotine products, which are increasingly being marketed in attractive forms to target younger audiences. He was speaking at an awareness programme organised at Kamineni Hospitals, LB Nagar, on Saturday ahead of World No Tobacco Day, observed annually on May 31.  Telangana Eagle Force SP P. Seetharam attended the event as the chief guest and inaugurated the programme. Participants were also administered a pledge to stay away from tobacco and work towards building a healthier society. The programme focused on creating awareness about the health, social and economic consequences of tobacco consumption.

Addressing the gathering, Telangana Eagle Force, Superintendent of Police Shri. P Seetharam said tobacco use poses a serious threat not only to individual health but also to the future of families and society. He urged young people to stay away from addictive substances and adopt healthy lifestyle practices. Parents, teachers and community leaders, he said, must work together to increase awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and encourage tobacco-free living as a means of buildinga healthier society.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Subhakar Kandi, Sr. Consultant Pulmonologist, Kamineni Hospitals said this year’s Worldt No Tobacco Day theme, “Unmasking the Appeal – Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction,” seeks to expose the marketing tactics used to promote nicotine and tobacco products among young people. He observed that flavoured products, attractive packaging and social media campaigns often portray addiction as a trend while concealing its harmful effects. Tobacco consumption, he said, significantly increases the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke and respiratory illnesses. He also pointed out that passive smoking exposes family members and others to serious health risks.

Consultant Pulmonologist Dr. E Ravindra Reddy said millions of people worldwide lose their lives every year due to tobacco-related diseases. Smoking, he noted, is a major risk factor for chronic bronchitis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. It also increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, hypertension and cancers affecting the mouth, throat, oesophagus, urinary bladder and several other organs. Dispelling the misconception that smokeless tobacco products are safer, he said chewing tobacco remains one of the leading causes of oral cancer in India.

Dr. Reddy further cautioned that passive smoking can have severe health consequences for children, older adults and pregnant women. However, he noted that the health benefits of quitting tobacco begin at any stage, with the risks of heart disease and cancer declining significantly over time. The experts called upon the public to adopt healthier lifestyles and reinforce the message, “Say No to Tobacco, Say Yes to Life.”

The programme was attended by Dr. Sudheer Babu Padgul, Principal, Kamineni Academy of Medical Sciences and Research Centre; Dr. Ravindranath; consultant pulmonologists Dr. D.S. Soujanya and Dr. Bharath Janapati; and other medical professionals, nursing staff and hospital personnel.