Actress and activist Gul Panag is urging the youth to join the fight against tobacco she launched a campaign titled ‘No More Tobacco In 21 Century’ on the first day of the “International Conference on Public Health Priorities in the 21st Century: The Endgame for Tobacco” organised by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and Health Related Information Dissemination Amongst Youth (HRIDAY) in New Delhi.

She was joined by Member of Parliament from Lok Sabha, Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda, another staunch supporter of the tobacco control movement. Launching the logo for the campaign Gul said “It is a much-needed initiative in a youth dominated demographic such as ours. Especially when it is the youth that the advertisers of tobacco products target.”

“An effective public countermeasure is the need of the hour to take on the cash rich and sometimes devious advertising ploys of companies that sell tobacco products. Youth involvement is critical to the success of any movement. Young people have been instrumental in promoting policies, programs and attitudes to reduce the use of tobacco among and within their families, schools and communities,” added former Miss India.