Mangaluru : Karnataka Bank in association with private FM channel observed ‘World No Tobacco Day’ on Wednesday under its corporate social responsibility initiative, which has the objective of creating awareness regarding health hazards due to consumption of tobacco and tobacco related substances and create tobacco-free society. The FM channel will not only have special announcements in this regard but will also relay message of a ‘tobacco-free society’.

A special vehicle will go around the city relaying the message. This campaign will be held for a week in Mangaluru, Kalaburgi and Mysuru. The channel will conduct signature campaign about evils of use of tobacco. Mahabaleshwara M S, MD and CEO of the bank who flagged off the campaign in the premises of bank’s head office said tobacco is a substance that is extremely addictive in all its forms. It takes a toll of almost a lakh of lives in India every year.

Consumption of tobacco through smoking has disastrous impacts on not only the smoker but also those in the vicinity. Smokers will surely be highly prone to cancer. It is an evil that destroys entire families. These days one sees youth being susceptible to this addiction. It starts with peer pressure but continues as an addiction. It is important to be aware of its disastrous consequences. The Bank has always been in the forefront to create awareness of such socially sensitive issues.

“My appeal to people is – If you consume tobacco in any form, please stop. If you know someone who does, please attempt to stop them. You will save your health and your financial situation as well and in the process create a healthy society,” Mahabaleshwara said. Raghavandra Bhat M, CGM, Raja BS, DGM, Srinivas Deshpande, chief manager (Public Relations), Shobhit Shetty, Prasanna, Anurag, Nayana, Rashmi, Trishul, and other RJs were present.