As conversations around tobacco consumption grow more urgent across the country, Manipal Hospitals East marked World No Tobacco Day with a comprehensive awareness initiative and Principals’ Conclave, bringing together healthcare experts, educators, students, and celebrities on one platform to spark meaningful dialogue around the dangers of smoking and the need for a tobacco-free future. The initiative focused on encouraging responsible lifestyle choices, strengthening preventive awareness, and highlighting the shared responsibility of institutions, families, and communities in shaping healthier generations. Through insightful discussions and interactive exchanges, the conclave also underscored the importance of early intervention, counselling, and sustained awareness in helping young individuals make informed and healthier life decisions.
The event witnessed the presence of several eminent personalities from the medical, academic and entertainment fraternity. Senior doctors including Dr. Kunal Sarkar, Director & Senior Consultant – Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery, Manipal Hospitals Mukundapur Cluster, Dr. Dilip Kumar, Director & Senior Consultant – Interventional Cardiology; Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Dr. Sourav Datta, Director Manipal Oncology Services & Sr Consultant Head Neck Oncology Surgeries, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Dr. Debraj Jash, Director – Pulmonology; Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Dr. Harsh Dhar, HOD & Senior Consultant – Head & Neck Surgery, Dr. Kinshuk Chatterjee, Consultant – Head & Neck Surgery; Dr. Sudeep Das, HOD & Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology; Dr. Debanjali Datta, Consultant – Radiology; and Ms. Arunima Datta, Clinical Psychologist at Manipal Hospital EM Bypass participated in the initiative. The programme was also attended by Mr. Deepak Venugopal, Regional COO, South & East Region, Manipal Hospitals, and Dr. Ayanabh Debgupta, Regional Director – East Region, Manipal Hospitals. The programme further saw active participation from renowned singer Anupam Roy and actor Debapriyo Mukherjee, alongside eminent academicians including Dr. Jaydeep Sarangi, Principal – New Alipore College; Dr. Indrila Guha, Principal – Basanti Devi College; Prof. Basab Chaudhuri, Principal – Heritage Institute of Technology; and Dr. Subir Sen, Principal – Bhawanipore Global Campus School of Business Management. Students from Loreto College and Jadavpur University also participated in the discussions, adding young voices to the conversation around tobacco awareness and prevention.
The conclave featured expert-led presentations on the harmful effects of smoking and preventive healthcare measures among students. Doctors from oncology, cardiology, and pulmonology departments addressed the increasing health risks associated with tobacco consumption and emphasised the importance of early intervention and behavioural awareness. The programme further included two engaging panel discussions focusing on collaborative efforts in fighting smoking addiction and the role of celebrities and social influence in encouraging healthier lifestyle choices among the youth.
Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Sourav Datta said, “Tobacco continues to remain one of the leading causes of preventable cancers and several life-threatening illnesses across the world. According to the World Health Organization, tobacco kills more than 8 million people globally every year, while in India, nearly 1.35 million deaths annually are linked to tobacco consumption. What is even more concerning is the growing exposure of smoking and vaping habits among young individuals, making awareness and prevention more important than ever before. Through this initiative, we wanted to create meaningful conversations involving students, educators, healthcare experts, and public figures so that together we can encourage healthier lifestyle choices and reduce the growing burden of tobacco-related diseases.”
Dr. Kunal Sarkar added, “Awareness programmes like these play a significant role in shaping behavioural change among the younger generation. Educational institutions have a powerful influence in guiding students towards healthier decisions, and collaborative initiatives between healthcare institutions and colleges can create long-term impact. Beyond physical health, tobacco addiction also affects emotional and social well-being, making it essential to address the issue holistically.”
In his address, Dr. Ayanabh Debgupta, said, “At Manipal Hospitals, we believe healthcare extends far beyond hospital walls and preventive healthcare continues to remain central to our vision of building a healthier society. According to recent studies, nearly 8.5% of students aged between 13–15 years in India are already using some form of tobacco, highlighting how early exposure and peer influence continue to impact young minds. This makes awareness initiatives within educational institutions more important than ever before. Through this initiative on World No Tobacco Day, we wanted to encourage informed conversations around healthier lifestyle choices and collective responsibility against tobacco consumption. We are encouraged to see educators, students, doctors, and public personalities come together for such an important cause, and we look forward to connecting with them for many more meaningful awareness initiatives in the future.”
