SS Rajamouli flags off American Oncology Institute's initiative 'Fight Smoking'

The visionary director of Indian Cinema Mr. SS Rajamouli flagged off ‘Fight Smoking’, a public awareness Initiative of American Oncology Institute. With the support of SS Rajamouli, American Oncology Institute aims to reach out to maximum cigarette smoking population and extend a helping hand to fight one of the biggest evils. This is also a humble attempt to inspire the non-smoking population to help their kin quit smoking for good.

Pledging his support to ‘Fight Smoking’ Campaign, Mr. Rajamouli flagged off the campaign at American Oncology Institute campus by burning the 25 feet cigarette effigy, symbolically conveying the victory over evil habit.  Speaking at the launch, the director of the blockbuster movie ‘Bahubali – The Beginning’ said, “I am glad to be the part of this exciting campaign. I would suggest you to take the pledge and awaken that Hero within you. When you stop smoking you help yourself and others around you to achieve a healthy and prospering life.” By initiating a conversation on TWITTER and FACEBOOK,Mr. Rajamouli also kicked off ‘Fight Smoking’ Initiative on social media in the presence of Mr. Joseph A. Nicholas, President & CEO, American Oncology Institute, Dr. R P Raju, MD & Executive Vice Chairman, Citizens Hospital and Dr. Babaiah, Medical Director, American Oncology Institute.

With the message of ‘be the Hero of your life’, the campaign aspires to find the ‘Heroes’ among the smokers who stop smoking by winning over the evil urge to smoke and the non-smokers, who help them in quitting the habit of smoking. A team of doctors including the Clinical Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Pulmonologist, Cardiologist and an Oncologist at American Oncology Institute and Citizens Hospital have been deputed to help those who come forward to quit smoking.

“Smoking, in today’s world is a habit of serious concerns” said Mr. Joseph A. Nicholas, President & CEO, American Oncology Institute. Extending his gratitude to Mr. Rajamouli for being the face of the campaign, he said “smoking is the primary cause of numerous cancers and chronic diseases. Our campaign encourages people towards a healthier and smoke free lifestyle by showcasing the numerous benefits one can achieve by not smoking. Our team has come up with various activities spreading this goodwill message across Hyderabad over this entire month. Our special call centre, medical care professionals and social media associates will provide scientific and real time assistance to the Courageous people who want to take the pledge.” 

Science has recognized smoking as one of the significant reasons behind Cancer. It is evident that avoiding smoking can reduce the number of cancer cases by a promising number. AOI’s ‘Fight Smoking’ initiative will reach out to a large population and increase awareness about the ill effects of smoking and encourage people to join the movement to stop smoking. The initiative encourages people by bringing awareness to the social, physical and psychological changes one can achieve by the cessation of smoking.

Elaborating on the campaign, Dr. Babaiah, Medical Director, American Oncology Institute said, “the program targets various platforms to reach out to all the age groups especially the youth, like Social media, art contests and short film contests to spread the message to everyone in various spheres of life. The campaign will include unique props like selfie booth with Mr. Rajamouli in various public places, exclusive campaigns in Colleges and malls like Inorbit and GVK Mall. The Social media platforms, Micro-Blogging sites, launched by Mr. Rajamouli, will keep the momentum up for the campaign. American Oncology Institute has also come up with unique display ideas to grab the attention of the audience.”

Through this campaign, American Oncology Institute wishes to engage maximum number of people to share the goodwill messages of ‘Fight Smoking’. The campaign will engage leading Pulmonologists, Psychiatrists and Oncologists to provide medical help required during the initiative one takes to quit smoking. The team will also reach out to the premium colleges to share the messages on how to fight smoking from a very early age and encourage them to take the pledge forward. At the end of the campaign AOI plans to reward the participants in the various activities in the non-smoking initiative for their exceptional determination and heroism in fighting the smoke devil called ‘cigarette’.