Mysuru: Former CM Siddaramaiah has recalled his student days when he used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day and urged people to stay away from such hazardous addictions so that they can lead a healthy life.
Speaking after inaugurating a free screening camp for breast and cervical cancer at Senate Bhavan in Manasagangotri here, on Sunday, organised by HNR Foundation at eight different places in the district, he said that he had quit smoking after realising its ill-effects and now, it has been over three decades that he even touched a cigarette.
“Quitting such habits can be difficult, but we must have the willpower to focus on the right decision, no matter how alluring the wrong path may seem,” he said, specifically focusing on the youth. A proud Siddaramaiah said that today, he cannot even tolerate people smoking around him.
Emphasising that every individual must go for a medical check-up every year, the former CM said that any disease, including cancer, can be treated effectively during the initial stages.
He said that education and health are two very important aspects of life and people, no matter who they are, must give importance to learning and maintaining good health.