Renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik commemorated World No Tobacco Day 2025 with a poignant sand sculpture at Odisha’s Puri Beach, delivering a stirring message about the devastating impact of tobacco use.
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The powerful artwork portrayed a haunting image of a young human skeleton placed beside a cigarette, symbolising the lethal consequences of tobacco addiction. Adding to the emotional depth, Pattnaik included figures of a grieving woman and child, representing the sorrow and loss endured by families affected by tobacco-related deaths.
The central theme of the sculpture served as a chilling reminder: the consequences of tobacco consumption go far beyond the smoker. It’s not just an individual’s health that suffers but also the emotional and psychological well-being of their loved ones. The installation captured the urgency of quitting tobacco and the collective responsibility society holds in combating this global health crisis.
Sharing a photograph of his creation on X (formerly Twitter), Pattnaik wrote: "#WorldNoTobaccoDay: Through this installation, I hope to remind people that tobacco addiction doesn’t just harm individuals—it deeply affects families and communities. Let’s choose health over habit. #SayNoToTobacco My sand art at Puri beach."
Speaking about the motivation behind the piece, Pattnaik cited alarming statistics: around 8 million people globally and 1 million in India lose their lives each year due to tobacco-related illnesses. Through his art, he urged people to raise awareness, make informed choices, and work together towards a tobacco-free future.
About World No Tobacco Day
World No Tobacco Day, celebrated each year on May 31st, serves as a vital global health awareness occasion led by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This day acts as a strong reminder of the harmful effects of tobacco use and galvanises worldwide initiatives to decrease its use.
