Chain-smoker star in health drive

India's anti-smoking campaign has a new ambassador - chain smoking
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
Health Minister Ambumani Ramadoss found a new face for the cause in
Khan after he pledged to quit smoking on the eve of his 40th birthday.

Shah Rukh Khan celebrated his birthday on 2 November and in an
interview to an Indian media channel said he would try to quit
smoking.

The health ministry is trying to ban smoking scenes in films.

Inspiring youth

Shah Rukh Khan has rarely been seen without a lit cigarette in his hand.

He has also not been shy of puffing away while being photographed or
interviewed on camera, unlike other Bollywood actors who smoke.

In a letter to the film star, Dr Ramadoss said "such a public health
initiative taken by a charismatic personality like you would go a long
way in inspiring and protecting the youths of our country from being
addicted to the use of tobacco".

He smokes and quits for himself and I smoke for myself. I won't leave
it because he does

Martin Lewis

The federal health ministry has been seriously pushing its
anti-smoking campaign and this is yet another initiative taken in that
direction.

Earlier this year the ministry announced its move to ban images of
smoking in films and on television. It is currently working out the
finer details of the ban with the information and broadcasting
ministry.

If the ban comes into effect it would mean that no new movies or TV
programmes could portray smoking. Old films would have to carry
warnings.

Celebrity endorsers

The health ministry has used celebrities in the past to promote their
health campaigns.

Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai were roped in to urge people to get
their children immunised against polio.

So will Shah Rukh Khan prove to be a motivator for people to quit cigarettes?

People on the streets of Mumbai (Bombay) have mixed feelings.

Twenty-five-year-old Martin Lewis says "He smokes and quits for
himself and I smoke for myself. I won't leave it because he does."

Twenty-nine year old media professional and regular smoker Kaustubh
Mahajan thinks it would be very difficult for Khan to quit after being
a chain smoker for years.

"It will not motivate me to throw mine. However, a reasonable number
of youngsters would certainly follow his cue as they are affected by
what film stars do," he said.

The actor himself is not in the country as he is busy shooting for
Bollywood movie in New York.

His office confirmed they had received the letter from the health ministry.

But the big question is - is he living up to his pledge and not smoking?

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