October 2nd 2009 - “Happy Birthday, Smoke Free Mumbai”

As Smokefree public places law completed a year on 2nd October 2009, Smokefree Mumbai campaign initiated an extensive awareness campaign through one of the leading Radio Channels in India – “Radio Mirchi”.

Ever since the smoke-free law was passed on October 2, 2008, all public places in India have fallen under its influence, resulting in the elimination of the menace of secondhand smoke and ensuring smoke-free surroundings for all. According to Dr. Surendra Shastri, Chairman of the Smokefree Mumbai campaign, "There is now overwhelming evidence that reduced exposure to cigarette smoke in public places reduces hospital admissions due to heart attacks. On September 21, 2009, the journal "Circulation” of the American Heart Association published a meta-analysis of 13 major studies that looked at heart attack incidences after the smoking ban was introduced in USA, Canada and Europe. The findings clearly indicated a drop in the total number of heart attacks by 17% within a year, accumulating to 36% over a three-year period. Studies commissioned by the NHS (National Health Services) in Britain and Scotland have also shown a fall in heart attack rates by 10 percent and 14 percent, respectively, a year after the introduction of the ban. The smoking ban in public places in Mumbai has seen an improvement in compliance by 30-60% over the last one year. Heart attack-related hospital admission rates in Mumbai over the last three years should be compared with those that would occur in the next two years to study whether similar immediate health benefits are evident in Mumbai too.”

To celebrate the 1st birthday of the law Smoke Free Mumbai associated with the “Hi Mumbai” show with Radio Jockey- Jeeturaaj (most popular RJ in Mumbai) on Radio Mirchi between 7am -11 am for ‘Smokefree Week’. The following spokespersons had interacted with Jeeturaaj from 30th September to 3rd October 2009.

Dr Jairaj Thanekar- (M.B.B.S, D.P.H, D.H.A) Executive Health Officer, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) - Voice of Health department at MCGM, therefore his role for Smokefree law and its implementation gave inputs on Collaboration between MCGM and Smokefree Mumbai campaign since Oct 2, 2008.

Mr Santosh Shetty- Secretary, Association of Hotels and Restaurants of India (AHAR) discussed on the following topics - AHAR is one of the largest hotel associations of India with membership of approximately 6000 eating establishments across city and Smokefree Mumbai has partnership with AHAR. They target the middle and upper middle class populations. He has been associated with AHAR since 7 years. He also spoke about how the smokefree law has benefited their organization and the business since the law has been passed on Oct 2, 2008

3rd October 2009 was dedicated for the creating awareness about the smokefree Mumbai campaign and its objective. Parth Bal, Manager Coordination at SFM & Surabhi Shastri, Web designer at SFM chat about the campaign and its efforts to make Mumbai Smokefree city and introduced the website www.smokefreemumbai.org to the audience.