The World Health Organization last week offered to help Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan and West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to quit smoking.
“They are big social, influential figures. We are ready to help them quit smoking,” said Khalil Rahman, WHO co-ordinator for Tobacco Control. “As a matter of principle, we are ready to help anyone from a rickshaw puller to a celebrity.”
“By smoking in public places they are violating the law. We have nothing to say what they do in their private life, but when they smoke in public, people get influenced,” he added.
Shah Rukh has been embroiled in controversy due to his smoking for the last few years. Recently the actor was found smoking inside a Punjab college.
In India, smoking in public places like schools, colleges and government buildings is a violation of law.
Rahman said they could provide Shah Rukh and Bhattacharjee with special smoking cessation modules.
“Their families can also be made aware so that they force these celebrities to stop smoking.”
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