Ayushmann Khurrana

Actor

I recently found out that asthma, a condition that can be easily managed, actually is the cause for the second-most number of deaths in India. What disturbed me even more was the reason behind this - social stigma around the use of inhalers.
A large number of people with asthma are not using inhalers because they either don’t know about it, or don’t want to be judged for it. Together, we can help them live a better, healthier life by making a small change in our mindset
So if you have asthma, or even if you don’t, join me as I #SayYesToInhalers
 
I want to make a humble appeal to everyone else to help me spread this message. @breathefreeworld

Parupalli Kashyap

Arjuna Award-Winning Badminton Player

To all those who didn't know, I have asthma. I’ve used inhalers for years now, and I have never faced any side effects. For a sportsperson like myself, playing at an international level requires a lot of stamina and my inhaler is the very thing that has helped me stay on top of my game. I would like to thank my doctors for recommending inhalers to me, and I’d also like to thank my friends and family for never letting the stigma around inhalers affect me in any way. I’m proud to #SayYesToInhalers, and I urge you to join me!

Steps to participate:
1. Share a photo of yourself doing a tick mark gesture with your right hand.
2. Tell us why you support this cause in your caption (optional)
3. Nominate your three friends
4. Tag @breathefreeworld and use the hashtag #SayYesToInhalers

Vikas Khanna

Michelin Start Winning Chef

As an asthmatic, I know how much of a difference inhalers can make. Unfortunately, a vast majority of asthmatics in India, choose not to use an inhaler simply because of the stigma that comes with it. But here’s the thing - Inhalers are safe and effective for managing asthma.

So today I am taking a stand to ensure that our country realizes that inhalers are undoubtedly the right treatment for asthma, and I request you to join me.

Together, let's #SayYesToInhalers

I’d like to ask you’ll to join me to help normalize the use of inhalers. @breathefreeworld

Follow these simple steps to participate:

1. Share a photo of yourself doing a tick mark gesture with your right hand.

2. Tell us why you support this cause in your caption (optional)

3. Nominate your three friends

4. Tag @breathefreeworld and use the hashtag #SayYesToInhalers

Suresh Raina

Cricketer

Through my years of playing and training, I have seen how Asthma can impact a player’s game while playing any sport. There is no reason why an asthmatic should not play to their full potential. And not just in sport, there is no reason why an asthmatic should live a limited life in any way. By using inhalers as recommended by their doctors, asthmatics can live the life they want for themselves. All we have to do is #SayYesToInhalers and eliminate the stigma attached to inhalers. By sharing this, I am doing my part in creating awareness and encouraging asthmatics to live a Berok Zindagi.

Steps to participate:
1. Share a photo of yourself doing a tick mark gesture with your right hand.
2. Tell us why you support this cause in your caption (optional)
3. Nominate your three friends
4. Tag @breathefreeworld and use the hashtag #SayYesToInhalers

Kajal Aggarwal

Actress

At the age of five, I was diagnosed with bronchial Asthma, the first thing I remember was having major dietary restrictions. Imagine a kid who had to steer clear of dairy and chocolate. And it’s not like it got any easier as I grew up. Every workout session, or every winter season, or every time I was exposed to any sort of dust or smoke, something which happens a lot in a country like ours, my body would have an allergic reaction. In order to deal with such things in the best possible way, I started using inhalers. And I noticed a change almost instantly.

Now it’s difficult to imagine my life without an inhaler. It’s the one thing that I make sure to always have with me. Sure I get the odd question, or a judgemental look every now and then. And while it does not bother me, there are millions of people in our country who need inhalers, but choose not to use them because of this very problem - social stigma.

There's nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to using an inhaler, privately or publicly.

And to help India realise this, today I #SayYesToInhalers, and I urge my friends, followers & family to join me. We need all the help & support we can muster to spread awareness about asthma and the use of inhalers

Unnikrishnan Mukundan

Actor

It’s no secret that life with asthma can be challenging. For people who have asthma, there is always a fear of getting an attack. If you learn to manage your asthma and use inhalers regularly as recommended by your doctor, there’s no reason for you to worry. But the problem is that people don’t want to accept that they have asthma and are scared to use inhalers.

 Inhalers are an effective and safe treatment for asthma and that’s why we need to #SayYesToInhalers

Rachita Ram

Actress

I know several asthmatics who lead extremely busy lives, and I cannot imagine what it would be like to live under the constant fear of an asthma attack. Inhalers can help Asthmatics eliminate these fears and lead an active lifestyle. I would do anything possible to help Asthmatics overcome this fear, as I believe that everyone should have the right to breathe freely . I #SayYesToInhalers and I want to help asthmatics do the same.

 By sharing this, I am doing my part in creating awareness and eliminating the stigma attached to Inhalers

Shruti Haasan

Actress

Weak, fragile, delicate, are some terms often associated with people who have asthma and use inhalers.

The question is why? Why are we hindering someone from getting better? Why are we acting as a roadblock? Shouldn't we support them in their journey towards achieving their dreams?

I am taking a stand against the myths and stigma around asthma and the use of inhalers, which are the most effective way to manage asthma. Every asthmatic should have the ability to breathe freely, and that’s why I #SayYesToInhalers, in the hope that it takes us one step closer to eliminating the stigma around inhalers and making it socially acceptable.

I urge you to join me in this cause, and help make a difference.

Mandira Bedi

Indian actress, fashion designer, and television presenter

I don’t know how many people know this, but I’m an asthmatic, and I use an inhaler.

I haven’t felt the need to really address this before, because it’s such a normal thing. Yes, life with asthma is challenging, no doubt about it. But there’s a reason that even with asthma, I’m able to be fit and run marathons, do yoga and be flexible, play and enjoy with my kids and do everything you see me do, and that reason is an inhaler. 

People are afraid of this little device. There’s a lot of information about it out there, but not all of it is true. For example, people think this inhaler’s dose is too heavy and it causes side effects, but I have never experienced anything negative and all it has done is help me breathe better, and live life to its fullest.