My name is Sunita. I live in a small town in Madhya Pradesh. I became addicted to smokeless tobacco and within in four years, I was diagnosed with oral cancer. At just 27, my life had fallen apart.

2500 Indians die daily of tobacco-related diseases. Every year, 10 lakh Indians die of tobacco-related diseases. Many of these deaths can easily be prevented. Nearly 5500 children start using tobacco each day, many of whom are as young as 8 years old.

Like me, most people who smoke or chew tobacco aren't fully aware of the extent to which it can harm one’s body. Amongst other problems, tobacco use can contribute to lung disease, cardiovascular complications, and various types of cancers leading to painful suffering and premature death.

It is critical to ensure a large picture health warning is printed on tobacco product packages sold across the country, which would effectively inform potential new users, especially children and youth from getting addicted and succumbing to this deadly habit. Picture warnings can inform the numerous Indians who are illiterate from falling prey to these cancerous products.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, under the leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has issued a notification that from 1st April, 2015, picture health warnings must cover 85% of both the front and back sides of tobacco packages. At present, our country ranks 136th in the Global Cigarette Package Health Warnings ranking, but this move elevates us to the 2nd position, the first being Nepal with 90% warnings. More importantly, this step is crucial in a multi-lingual country like India where people speak/read many languages.

Let's join hands to support the Health Ministry’s landmark decision on larger and stronger picture warnings on all tobacco products from 1 April 2015 as it can help save millions of Indian lives. I urge you to join this campaign by signing up for the petition which will prevent lakhs of Indians from tobacco-related diseases and thousands of children getting addicted to these lethal products daily.

 

                                       #LivesBachaoSizeBadhao

 SunitaTomar

27 year old wife, mother, oral cancer victim