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Shaan strikes anti-tobacco note
On Tuesday, Shaan was appointed as the Tobacco Control Ambassador for country by the health ministry at a function held at Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel.
Apart from entertaining fans with his soulful songs, singer Shaan now has an additional responsibility.
On Tuesday, Shaan was appointed as the Tobacco Control Ambassador for country by the health ministry at a function held at Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel.
BK Prasad, joint secretary, union health ministry and family welfare, said that a youth icon could help control tobacco use among the youth. "According to the 2010 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, almost 14.5% of the tobacco consumers belong to the 13 to 15 age group," said Prasad.
Shaan released a song, written by Rekha Nigam, aimed at curbing tobacco use. "Tobacco consumers are like suicide bombers - killing themselves and threatening others by passive smoking," said Shaan. He even expressed grief at losing his father, a tobacco addict, at the age of 43 to cancer.
Few patients suffering from oral cancer due to tobacco consumption shared their experiences at the function. Sambhu Shaw, 26, a defence ministry employee from Kolkata who was detected with cancer at the first stage, said: "I was an occasional smoker but got addicted to cigarettes at a very young age. I thought occasional smoking would not cause me any harm. But, I have been detected with oral cancer and hope to get cured."
