In a bold move to ignite discussions and raise awareness about the harmful consequences of tobacco chewing, several anti-tobacco voluntary organizations have introduced a unique graphic representation called ‘Bolo Zubaan Cancery.’
Featuring Bollywood Actors in Graphic Health Warnings
The question arises: What if graphic health warnings were to feature top Bollywood actors who regularly endorse gutkha products in their commercials? Should anti-tobacco voluntary groups be allowed to visually depict the consequences of tobacco addiction by showing the disfigured faces of popular actors like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, and others who endorse chewing products containing tobacco?
The Birth of ‘Bolo Zubaan Cancery’
To ignite discussions and spread awareness of the harmful impact of tobacco chewing, anti-tobacco voluntary organizations created a unique graphic representation called ‘Bolo Zubaan Cancery.’ This title ingeniously plays on a well-known tobacco chewing advertisement that showcases facial disfigurement in top actors due to cancer.
A Hard-Hitting Graphic Warning
Developed by ‘Indiainpixels’ on the social media platform ‘X,’ this graphic quickly gained popularity as anti-tobacco activists, dental surgeons, and senior physicians across the country started sharing and appreciating the hard-hitting message. The visual graphic portrays actors with darkened lips, permanent teeth stains, mouth ulcers, gum decay, facial disfigurement, bad breath, loss of teeth, and permanent aging – all typical symptoms associated with addiction to tobacco chewing.
A Call for Widespread Use
Many have recognized that this graphic effectively portrays the consequences of chewing smokeless tobacco, such as gutkha, on individuals. Several anti-tobacco voluntary institutions have urged that this pictorial warning should be utilized by all public health advocacy groups and policymakers involved in controlling tobacco consumption in India. This powerful graphic serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with tobacco chewing and the importance of spreading awareness to protect public health.
