Drive to motivate youth for a tobacco-free world

Stairs, an NGO working towards the upliftment of underprivileged youth recently organised an anti-tobacco awareness campaign to mark the World No Tobacco Day. The drive was conducted in collaboration with Delhi Police in Tughlaqabad Railway Colony, Prahaladpur.

“A large number of youngsters from the underprivileged sections of society are losing their life due to their inability to afford cure for diseases arising out of tobacco consumption. Hence, it is paramount that all the stakeholders of society come together and take this challenge head on. The awareness campaign against tobacco is a step in that direction, an attempt to percolate the message that tobacco consumption will only spell doom for those who consume it,” Siddhartha Upadhyay, founder and
secretary general, Stairs tells Metrolife.

Public figures and dignitaries joined hands to create awareness amongst the youth about the dangers of tobacco addiction. An oath promising tobacco-free world was also administered. Young and youngsters were invited to share their views on the dangers associated with tobacco consumption. An exhibition showing the ill effects of tobacco consumption was also on display. Representatives from Stairs along with members of Delhi Police spoke on the ill effects of tobacco and drug addiction. Cartons of tobacco products were set afire to spread the message of a tobacco-free world.

For this initiative, Stairs partnered with Delhi Police to organise this campaign as part of Delhi Police’s initiative ‘Yuva’. The initiative is aimed towards the welfare of the youth from the underprivileged sections of society. Stairs has been associated with Yuva since December 2012. Over the year, through Stairs against Drugs (SAD), Stairs has helped in the rehabilitation of number of youngsters through the medium of sports and helped them channelise their energies for personal and economic growth.