Delivering his message on World Anti-Tobacco Day, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd said, “We have seen a steep surge in the number of young boys and girls who are drawn towards smoking and an equal number of them who are battling with this addiction. While no one is unaware of the effects tobacco has on our body, this generation needs to understand the gravity of the situation wherein tobacco-related illness today is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced. Approximately one person dies from a tobacco-related disease every six seconds, which is almost six million people a year. I sincerely urge our future generation to understand that this life that they have is priceless and instead of fighting addictions, this is the time for them to fight for their passions. I thereby hope we entrust due respect to our heart and body, prevent it from foreseeable damage, and lead a heart-healthy life”