IDA calls for tobacco ban in State
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 29 2012:
The Indian Dental Association, Manipur State Branch has urged the State Government of Manipur to ban the use and sale of all tobacco products in order to make the State a 'tobacco free' one.
In a statement, IDA-MSB pointed out that 15 States of the country have banned the sale, manufacture and distribution of gutka, khaini, pan masala containing tobacco, based on the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulation issued on Aug 1, 2011 .
It stated that the step taken by these 15 states would go a long way in saving lakhs of precious lives and reduce the Government spending on treating tobacco related diseases.
The IDA then urged the Government of Manipur to implement the FSSAI regulation in larger interest of younger generation who are falling prey to tobacco menace and face premature death.
The IDA statement further pointed out that 54 percent of people in the State are using tobacco (66.6 pc men and 41.8pc women) while 44 pc are using smokeless tobacco as per the Global Adult Tobacco survey conducted by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
In view of the State having the highest rate of tobacco consumption in the country, the IDA has called upon the State Government to ban the use of tobacco products.