World No Tobacco Day: Western Railway joins the Crusade against Tobacco

Mumbai: On 30th May 2016, World No Tobacco Day, the Western Railways in association with NGO Salaam Bombay Foundation (SBF) will ride a new track for citizens – ‘Zindagi Ko Tambaku Ki Patri Par Na Chalayein’, a campaign to rid the railways of the tobacco menace.

Beginning on Monday 30th May, 2016, the campaign will begin with an oral health camp for coolies by The Indian Dental Association (IDA). Following this, on Tuesday morning, commuters will hear the voices of Bollywood celebrities like Shraddha Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Sharman Joshi and Govinda on the public announcement system. The Western Railway local trains are also known for their signature internal announcements that keep commuters updated with details of their journey and broadcasts precautionary messages. These special announcements are serious messages asking people to stay away from tobacco. An initiative launched by the Western Railways, Mumbai Division with support from the Salaam Bombay Foundation, the objective is to raise awareness on the health hazards that tobacco poses and its threat to life.

The Western Railways has gone a step further and roped in the Salaam Bombay Foundation to organise special street plays on the Churchgate and Mumbai Central (Outstation) platforms.  Once again the plays will highlight that over 10 million die from tobacco related diseases every year and that every day 5,500 Indian children try tobacco for the first time.

Talking about the unique initiative of spreading anti-tobacco awareness, Mr. Saurabh Prasad, Additional Divisional Manager (Technical), Western Railway, said, “The railways serve the nation.  We are happy we could extend our service to incorporate messages for good health.  Tobacco kills 10 million people every year and our efforts are a small step to raise awareness on the ill effects of tobacco and how critical it is to stay away from it.  These children are doing the public a great service; we are proud to be their partners.”

Echoing his thoughts, Ms. Aditi Parikh, VP, Communications & Development, Salaam Bombay Foundation said, “Tobacco is a menace…India accounts for 86% of the world’s oral cancer cases, most of them being tobacco induced.  Society is aware of the ills of tobacco but when organisations like the Western Railway get involved, the reach just multiplies.  The Salaam Bombay children have made it their mission to advocate for a tobacco-free environment; the street plays will reach thousands of commuters on the busy platforms as will the oral check up in association with IDA for the coolies.  We thank the Western Railway for their foresight in initiating this event.”

The Western Railways operates around 1300 rakes on the Western Suburban route which ferries about 35 lakh commuters every day.

Source : Lokesh Shastri