In a recent interview with the Times of India, Saif Ali Khan spoke of his new perspective on life. The gym, reading a good book and having an early night are all part of Saif’s new regime. No smoking and drinking are also part of the list. Saif told TOI- ‘I have become an anti drinking, anti smoking agent’. With Saif looking as good as he does, one finds it hard to believe he is 42. He told TOI, ‘a few years ago, I could put away a few rotis and knock down a couple of drinks without being too conscious. Now, I enjoy the one piece of bread that I eat. I eat it very slowly and have learnt to relish it.’ Saif is feeling the health benefits of these changes too- “It feels great to wake up feeling healthy, awake and alert.”
Not only Saif but Randeep Hooda has quit smoking too. A source on the set of Randeep’s upcoming film Shooter and Ungli told TOI that the withdrawal symptoms are getting to him- “It’s been more than a month since Randeep has quit smoking, but he has become very irritable with everyone present.” However, quitting smoking is tough and also admirable. Randeep’s mood swings are being taken on the chin whilst he adjusts to the changes- “But everyone knows why, and are therefore giving him another month to get over his withdrawal symptoms and get back to being his goofy self.”
In the words of Suman (Maine Pyar Kiya), ‘smoking is injurious to health’. It causes lung cancer, heart disease, and also stinks- in every way. There has always been a smoking related incident for us all- whether it was through peer pressure when growing up or later in life; a habit picked up and difficult to let go of; or watching and worrying about loved ones smoking. According to ash.org.uk ‘smoking causes around 86% of deaths from lung cancer.’ Not only that, but smokers under the age of 40 are ‘five times more likely to have a heart attack than non-smokers.’
The good news is that it is never too late. A year after quitting, the risk of heart attack falls to half of that a smoker; no smoking for 15 years means that your risk is similar to someone who has never smoked. With the Bollywood boys Saif and Randeep quitting, hopefully others, both smokers and non- smokers will follow their lead and aspire to a healthy life style. In Saif’s words to TOI, “If you don’t smoke or drink and respect your body, you can look great at 42.”
