Jharsuguda, Odisha,May 31, 2025: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, observed World No Tobacco Dayby conducting awareness camps across Keldamal, Barhamunda and Gudigaon villages in the vicinity of its operations in Jharsuguda. Organised through the company’s Mobile Health Unit (MHU) project, the initiative aimed to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and encourage healthier lifestyle choices among rural communities. Over 200 people participated in the initiative.
As part of the campaign, medical experts from Vedanta’s MHU project conducted interactive sessions on the health risks posed by both smoking and smokeless forms of tobacco. Awareness leaflets, developed in line with IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials provided by the Jharsuguda District Health Department, were distributed among community members. A compelling skit, performed by Vedanta’s employees, depicted the long-term consequences of tobacco use, especially on families and future generations.
Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer – Vedanta Aluminium said, “At Vedanta, our social interventions are designed to empower communities with the resources and tools they need for access to better health. Through such targeted programmes, we aim to inspire behavioural change that fosters a healthier, tobacco-free future, particularly for our youth.”
Adding a medical perspective, Dr. Jayanarayan Pujari, Medical Officer – MHU, Vedanta Aluminium, said,“Tobacco use is linked to a range of serious illnesses including cancer, heart disease, and lung disorders. Awareness is the first step towards prevention. Through these sessions, we aim to equip individuals with the knowledge to make informed health decisions.”
Sharing her takeaway from the session, Ms. Surekha Purohit, resident of Sunarimunda village, said“Before this session, many of us didn’t fully understand how harmful tobacco really is. The doctor explained its long-term impact on our lungs and heart, and the play made it clear how addiction slowly destroys families. I feel more confident now to spread this message among my friends and neighbours.”
Vedanta Jharsuguda’s Mobile Health Units provide primary healthcare services to over 100,000 individuals annually across 28 villages in Jharsuguda. The No Tobacco Day awareness drive is part of the company’s wider community development portfolio focused on healthcare, education, livelihood, women empowerment, and skill development.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.42 million tonnes in FY25. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
