On “World No Tobacco Day 2025”, patient awareness program was conducted by the Department of Family Welfare and Department of Medicine at Central Hospital, Perambur, Southern Railway. The theme for this year “Bright Products, Dark intentions, Unmasking the Appeal -Exposing Industry tactics on tobacco and nicotine products “was explained by Dr Radha Vijayaraghavan, ACHD/Nephrology with videos of surrogate advertisements on tobacco products and the harmful effects of tobacco on kidney. Dr G.Arunkumar, Sr.DMO/Medicine further elaborated on the various advertising tactics and veiled celebrity endorsements on harmful tobacco products. He urged the public to be aware of these masked advertisements. Dr K.Muruganandam, ACHD/Medicine detailed the cardiovascular harms of tobacco. Dr Arun Saravanan, Sr.DMO/Neurology explained the harmful effects of tobacco on brain. Dr Hemalatha, ACHD/Psychiatry dwelt on the psychologic impact of tobacco products and the availability of “Tobacco Deaddiction OP” at Department of Psychiatry. Dr V.Kannan, MD/RH/PER reemphasised the harmful effects of tobacco and urged the public to be aware of the harms. Dr S.Kalyani, PCMD/HQ in her concluding talk explained the harms of passive smoking and the maternal and foetal harms of tobacco products. A quiz was conducted on the above topic and prizes were distributed to the public. Pamphlets were distributed. Dr Thiru Arul Jothi, CSS/OP , Dr PriyaShaunthini and Dr K.P.Lalitha, ACHD/H&FW participated in the event.
