World No Tobacco Day: Awareness Rally Held, Lung Screening Conducted for 276 People in Varanasi
Varanasi, May 31: On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, Breath Easy Chest Foundation for Humanity, Assi, organized an awareness rally and a free lung health screening camp to promote awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and smoking.
The rally was flagged off by senior chest and respiratory disease specialist Dr. S.K. Pathak and Mrs. Sunita Pathak. The procession, which started from Assi and concluded at the Subah-e-Banaras stage, witnessed enthusiastic participation from youth and local residents who spread awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and passive smoking.
As part of the initiative, free lung examinations were conducted for 276 individuals. According to the organizers, more than 60 percent of those screened were found to have reduced lung capacity, highlighting the growing impact of tobacco use and environmental factors on respiratory health.
Addressing the participants, Dr. S.K. Pathak administered a pledge urging people to refrain from tobacco consumption and motivate others to do the same. He described tobacco as a “slow poison” that significantly increases the risk of cancer, heart disease, hypertension, and serious respiratory illnesses.
The program was also attended by Dr. Swapnil Pathak and other members of the foundation, who emphasized the importance of regular health check-ups and sustained public awareness campaigns to combat tobacco addiction and promote healthier lifestyles.
