The most intelligent creature that God has made, the man, sometimes (may I say most of the times) acts in such irresponsible manner that little does he realize what harm is he incurring to others because of his life style. It is a different thing to have a 1800 cc brain inside the cranial cavity and actually using it sensibly. We have the capacity to distinguish right from wrong but when we have used that logical reasoning power? To cut a long story short, I am here talking about the consumer product that kills millions of people worldwide but still enjoys the status of a legal consumable graciously called as the stick of tranquility. I am talking about Tobacco. People consuming tobacco definitely know what is going to happen in the long run. There is absolutely no need in creating awareness campaigns telling the negative impacts of tobacco consumption. Young generation, college students, professionals, and old people everyone enjoys smoking. Starting from bidi, cigarette to high profile cigars, hukka everything of its kind is so popular. The tobacco industry grows exponentially year after year, the consumers are happy and government is delighted by the excise taxes earned because of this industry. So all are in profit is it?

No. I am suffering. I am a non – smoker still I have to face the consequences of my unhealthy society. Heard of Second hand and Third hand smoking? Passive smoking is the inhalation of smoke, called secondhand smoke (SHS) or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), from tobacco products used by others. It occurs when tobacco smoke permeates any environment, causing its inhalation by people within that environment. Scientific evidence shows that exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke causes disease, disability, and death as well. And the phrase third-hand smoke was coined to identify the residual tobacco smoke contamination that remains after the cigarette is extinguished and second-hand smoke has cleared from the air.

May be because of this, a law was enforced saying smoking at public places is punishable. But I see no change in my surroundings. Everyday my auto rickshaw driver would smoke while we are stuck in traffic signals. And every single day I request them, “Bhaiya mujhe allergy hai, aap please cigarette bujha dijiye’. I have also got reply,”kya madam jalane ke baad bolte hain abhi hum kuch nahi kar sakta”! Yes of course why should he stop it for me? After all he has paid for it. At all possible public places I see people smoking. Thanks to restaurants and multiplexes for having a “No smoking” board, otherwise smokers will not spare any place. Tobacco manufacturers are banking on the argument that people know and understand the health risks when they choose to take that puff. They are not discounting the fact that tobacco indeed kills. However, they claim that they are honest to their customers about the consequences of smoking by displaying large enormous health warnings on every pack of cigarettes. But what about the effects on non-smokers? For what fault of us, do we need to suffer? And what can resolve our plight? Do you think any enactment of law will have the effect… no!! it is the awareness of people that can make this wonder happen.

Sometimes, I dream of a tobacco free world; I dream of the beautiful days when I don’t have to inhale the smoke of cigarette. I dream of a healthy society full of freshness, but all most always my dream is shattered and I wake up with the atrocious smoke of cigarette. I wonder if ever my dream would come true?