Shahrukh Khan's decision to quit smoking must have given many of his fans and well-wisher s a sigh of relief. One of
them is Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi associate professor, head and neck service, department of surgery, Tata Memorial
Hospital who wrote about the star's increasing influence among his fans and his habit of smoking.
Here it is…
Dear Shah Rukh Khan ji,
Your pledge on the eve of your 40th birthday celebration to quit smoking is bound to have a huge impact on curbing
tobacco menace in our country. Tobacco is a Duplicate of suffering and death.
Maya Memsaab may be finding it a Chamatkar that her Raju Bangaya Gentleman! Though late, we are happy that
you realized that smoking isn't about Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham but it is all about suffering.
Ram Jaane, if you know that tobacco is the commonest causes of preventable death in youth. It is a Paheli
for all of us that knowing well the fate of Devdas-like lifestyle, you chain-smoked for several decades. Perhaps,
when it comes to picking up smoking habit, Dil To Pagal Hai. O Darling Yeh Hai India where 2,200 people
die every day due to tobacco related diseases. Despite several tough laws and awareness campaigns, smoking in India
is on the rise. Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani!
Every day more than 55,000 new children pick up tobacco habit in India apart from several millions that are already
addicts.
Hey Ram! A study showed that those whose favourite stars smoke on screen are 16 times more likely to have
positive attitudes toward smoking.
Unfortunately, our Baazigar politicians say Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa when it comes to banning depiction of
tobacco on screen. You became Asoka of Bollywood not because you smoked on screen, but because you
acted well.
Zamaana Deewana hai aapka! You can achieve a much bigger status if you become the mascot of the
anti-tobacco mission. You are the Baadshah of cinema and if you talk about Anjaam of tobacco addiction to your
fans in Swades or Pardes, it will show your Mohabbatein for them.
Yes Boss, you have got the power to instill Darr in addicts by telling that if they smoke then there is no guarantee
that Kal Ho Na Ho. If they find quitting difficult, you can reassure them by saying Main Hoon Na! Chalte
Chalte, I would urge you to spread the message that tobacco se Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Har Dil Jo Pyar
Karega should quit tobacco.
We need a Fauji with Josh like you in our army against Dushman Duniya ka i.e idiot tobacco industry.
Forget about us, smoking will affect your own health and we hope that aapko Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna pade on
account of your poor health.
This will also save your Chaahat i.e. your wife and son from passive smoking. Guddu, when cameras are
turned off, shooting is called off, your fans disappear and the sweat washes away your outer cover, your health will be
your true companion.
Those of your Deewana fans, whose tobacco habit was promoted and legitimized by you, Achanak feel cheated
by your anti-smoking sentiments.
Quitting tobacco isn't so easy. You may have access to the best tobacco cessation facility in the world but all the addicts
aren't so fortunate. O bollywood's Veer, Zaara think about them!
- Pankaj Chaturvedi
Courtesy: IndiaFM.com