Bhubaneswar, May 30: Biswaranjan Behera, a clinical psychologist and anti-tobacco activist, joined the Nishamukti Yuva Sankalp (NYS) to fight the menace of tobacco when one of his close friends died of cancer four years ago.

Ever since the clinical psychologist has become a major motivator for the Sankalp which was formed in 2009. He has taken part in their road shows, rallies, dramas and SMS campaign through which 10,000 messages have been sent to recipients across the state during the last two years.

“Scientific findings have identified more than 4,000 chemical substances in tobacco of which 60 are technically known to cause cancer. Now, it has come to notice that these chemicals have the tendency to change the genetic material in human bodies,” he said.

Like Behera, other doctors, social workers and activists are also supporting the noble cause of the organisation.

“We have never received any help from any government agency. In the beginning, we were only four members, but now the core group consists of 20 members and we are supported by a secondary group of around 50 persons,” said Md Imran Ali of the organisation.

Another core member of the group Manaswini Parida, a student, said: “The mission has already gone to many other prominent places such as, Baripada, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Kalahandi, Cuttack, Phulbani, Sundargarh and Bargarh. We are hopeful that the movement will reach other corners of the state so that more and more people will be aware of the ill effects of the tobacco products.”

“Orissa has become a leading state in the country leading to oral cancer deaths. As the use of gutkha, paan, cigarettes and bidis are increasing among youth, we want to make them aware on the preventive aspect of cancer,” said Manaswini.

“Once a person is affected with cancer, the treatment process is lengthy, painful and needs a huge amount of money. Therefore, we are working on educating youth on the latter,” added Manaswini.