MUMBAI: May 31 is observed as World No Tobacco day to help people understand the health issues related to tobbaco use and also inspire them to stop using it. From cancer to heart diseases, memory loss, insomnia, and even stained teeth, tobacco usage has endless list of side-effects. And it just doesn't harm smokers, passive smokers are at a great risk too.
Because of the health hazard attached to it, many smokers still don't want their families to know about it. However, now that they are at home because of the lockdown, their smoking pattern has been affected. We spoke to some celebs and asked them if they think that this lockdown would have actually helped some quit it for good. Here's what they had to say:
Sumrit Shahi: Writer of webseries "Never Kiss Your Best friend", Sumrit says he is the "perfect example" of what the lockdown has done to smokers, adding, "I have quit smoking. I have not smoked since the last 45 days and this is the longest that I have been smoke-free since I started smoking. Part of the reason was that I am in a lockdown with my family and I ran out of places to hide and smoke. The other reason was COVID-19, it is supposed to affect your respiratory system, so the scare of it all only propelled me to not smoke. So I think this No Tobacco day, the biggest take away from this phenomenon called COVID is that it is not impossible to stop smoking and the way you can stop smoking is just quit it one day, it is just that. You also need to identify the triggers that force you to smoke and try to substitute those triggers with something else."
Harssh A Singh: "Thappad" actor Harssh A Singh, who quit smoking in the past, said, "I'm glad that this lockdown made smoking difficult for people. There is no earthly reason for anyone to smoke. I was a smoker for many years and I know that it tastes bad, smells awful, feels horrible, affects your lungs, etc. yet once it becomes a habit it stays with you. Quitting it is so hard, so if people have quit, that's fantastic, so proud of you. 'Inhale the future and exhale the past'."
(Also read: Sumrit Shahi talks about his writings, Never Kiss Your Best Friend and his tryst with success)
Arun Mandola: "Sankat Mochan Mahabali Hanumaan" fame Arun Mandola feels people smoke because they want to look cool but it actually makes them a fool risking his/her health. He added, "Yes, of course this lockdown must have had a positive effect on smokers as cigarettes are not available in the market and also because they can't smoke in front of their family. I feel this lockdown has resulted in a lot of lifestyle changes and made it easier to control the bad ones."
Aaira Dwivedi: Aaira feels that even though smokers are well aware of the side-effects, once you get addicted to it, it's hard to quit. "During this lockdown the unavailability must have discouraged it, I am sure few must have had taken it badly. It must have affected their smoking pattern and some must have quit it too. I do not smoke, have stayed away from smoking and tobacco. Also, it's not good for skin and we need to look best for our job as an actor. I urge people to say no to smoking and tobacco, do it for your health and longevity of your career," she said.
Mrunal Jain: When the lockdown was announced and it was said that only essentials will be made available, I saw people running to buy cigarettes. It's a hard to quit thing, but now that everyone is stuck at home, there is no other way but to just stop smoking once and for all. I understand that you need a very strong will power to quit smoking, so why not indulge in activities that can help you forget it.
(Also read: Sumrit Shahi: TV content is still tacky and regressive)
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