Historic Push for a Tobacco-Free India: Medical Professionals Rally Behind Nasha Mukti Indradhanush Abhiyan

Over 1,000 doctors, public health experts, and medical students support the Nasha Mukti Indradhanush Abhiyan initiative for a tobacco-free India. Launched by ACHE and DaAD, the campaign garners significant traction. The signatures collected will be presented to policymakers to advocate for stricter tobacco cessation measures.

Over 1,000 doctors, public health experts, and both undergraduate and postgraduate medical students have united in support of the 'Nasha Mukti Indradhanush Abhiyan India' initiative, seeking a tobacco-free future.

This campaign, launched by the Asian Coalition for Health Empowerment (ACHE) in partnership with Doctors Against Addiction (DaAD), aims to collect signatures from medical professionals and the public to advocate for healthier, addiction-free lifestyles across India.

In the past eight months, the campaign has received an enthusiastic response, Dr. Narender Saini, Former General Secretary of the Indian Medical Association, reported. The compiled signatures will be shared with health organizations and policymakers, including the Prime Minister's Office, to push for stringent measures in tobacco cessation.

According to Dr. Saini, the initiative is more than a campaign; it's a movement toward a healthier future incorporating a holistic strategy to combat tobacco addiction and promote stricter regulations against other harmful substances. He highlighted the collective effort from healthcare professionals and the community in raising awareness and dispelling myths about tobacco use as critical to achieving a healthier society.

The focus of the campaign goes beyond tobacco, addressing addictions such as drugs, alcohol, and smartphone overuse, aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal-3 (SDG-3), which aims to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all ages.

Dr. Pawan Gupta, Senior Consultant of Pulmonary Medicine at BLK-MAX Super Speciality Hospital in Delhi, emphasized the campaign's comprehensive approach that integrates global best practices with local insights, creating a strong framework to tackle addiction. By uniting healthcare professionals and concerned citizens, the campaign seeks to foster significant changes in health policies and practices.

Dr. Sunaina Soni, Assistant Professor at the Department of Physiology at Subharti Medical College in Meerut, shared that the medical community's overwhelming response underscores the campaign's importance. The collected signatures are expected to drive substantial policy changes, making a tangible impact in the fight against addiction.

She added that the campaign is not just about gathering signatures but also inspiring hope and accountability, empowering individuals and communities to strive for a tobacco-free future.

(With inputs from agencies.)