Cancer is a major cause of deaths across the world. In the year 2018, cancer was the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths, or one in six deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
While lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men, breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the most common among women. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and cancer deaths. It is a major cause of not only lung cancer but also cancers of the mouth and throat, voice box, esophagus, stomach, kidney, pancreas, liver, bladder, cervix, colon and rectum, and even a type of leukemia.
World No-Tobacco Day
World No-Tobacco Day is observed on the 31st of May of every year to spread awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco on human health. Ahead of World No-Tobacco Day 2023, The CSR Journal brings to you the inspiring story of a school girl who is trying to spread awareness against the deadly consequences of tobacco consumption and addiction in an around the slums of Mumbai’s Bhabrekar Nagar in Kandivali West.
Salaam Bombay Foundation
In an attempt to spread awareness about the ill-effects of tobacco, Mumbai-based non-profit organisation Salaam Bombay Foundation is working tirelessly every day. Keeping in mind the need for healthier living – especially for those among India’s urban slums, the foundation’s ‘Health Monitors’ have been using innovative methods.
Snehal ‘Vasudev’ warns against tobacco
Snehal Ravsaheb Kshirsagar, a student of class 9 of Charkop Village Sector Marathi School used the power of music to create anti-tobacco messages and encourage people to eat healthy. Living in the slums of Mumbai’s Bhabrekar Nagar, Snehal learnt about the ill- effects of tobacco during her interaction with Salaam Bombay Foundation and decided to do something about it in her community. She took on the avatar of Vasudev (a community that sings hymns of Shri Krishna) and, incorporated anti-tobacco messages in her hymns to grab people’s attention. Today, Snehal as Vasudev, goes about her community every fortnight to reinforce the message against tobacco.
