Sunita Tomar, the face of India's anti-tobacco campaign, died on Wednesday morning after her cancer which was treated in 2013, relapsed. She was 28.
The mother of two, in a 30-second video campaign, had spoken boldly about how tobacco and the resulting mouth cancer were devastating for her and her family. "Tobacco chewing devastated me financially, physically, and mentally. It ruined my family life", she had said.
Just two days ago before succumbing to cancer, Ms Tomar had, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, written, "When I started consuming tobacco, there was no warning on its ill effects. I did not know that tobacco chewing would lead to cancer and spoil my life. After being through the pain, I decided to warn other users through my experience."
"I am shocked that people in such high posts can be so irresponsible. Bigger warnings can probably save some innocent lives like mine", Ms Tomar wrote to the PM.
"She was breathless and had lost 15 kg. Her cancer had recurred and progressed. We started treating her but within two-three days she said she was missing her children and wanted to get treated at her native place in Madhya Pradesh," Syed Jaffri of the Tata Memorial Hospital said.
Sunita Tomar is among 10 lakh people in India who lose their lives due to tobacco use every year.
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