Bollywood Megastar Shaan to be Recognized at June 26 Concert by New York City's Mayor Bloomberg for Role in Educating Youth on Harms of Tobacco

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Jun 24, 2011, 05:44 ET

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids:

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Indian music idol and television host Shaan and Mumbai-based Salaam Bombay Foundation will be recognized for their work in educating Indian youth on the harms of tobacco use by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at Shaan's concert at Queen's College on Sunday, June 26. A proclamation will be issued on behalf of Mayor Bloomberg recognizing Shaan and Salaam Bombay Foundation for their role in the global fight against tobacco and proclaiming June 26 as "NYC Celebrates Tobacco Prevention Day."

Shaan, who this year became a Tobacco Control Ambassador for India, has worked closely with the Indian government and tobacco control groups such as the Salaam Bombay Foundation to help Indian youth live a healthy, smoke-free life. In India, more than 50,000 Indians under the age of 15 try tobacco for the first time each year, and five million of the country's young people smoke regularly.

The artist has committed to setting an example for India's youth by not using tobacco, and is drawing attention to the harmful effects of tobacco consumption through his music. Shaan's new song, "Life Se Panga Mat Le Yaar" which translates as "Don't Mess with Life, Friends" speaks of living life to the fullest and not destroying it with tobacco.

It is fitting that Shaan's efforts at protecting people, especially youth, from the harms of tobacco should be recognized by Mayor Bloomberg. Under the Mayor's leadership, New York City has placed itself at the forefront of global tobacco control by implementing comprehensive tobacco control measures that have lead to a dramatic reduction in youth and adult smoking rates in the city. In 2006, Mayor Bloomberg also announced the formation of the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use to combat tobacco use in low- and middle-income countries, where more than two-thirds of the world's smokers live. With more than 275 million tobacco users and a mortality rate of approximately one million per year due to tobacco-related diseases, India is a priority country for the Bloomberg Initiative.

The world's first public health treaty, the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, commits ratifying nations such as India to implement scientifically proven measures to reduce tobacco use. These measures include a complete ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; requiring all workplaces and public places to be 100 percent smoke-free; implementing large, graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging; and increasing the price of tobacco products through tax increases.

SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids