Despite ban, Tobacco items thrive
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 14 2013:
Despite the decision of State Cabinet to ban sale and consumption of tobacco products like cigarette, Gutka, Khaini, Zarda and the subsequent Government notification issued in this regard, these products continue to thrive in Manipur with prices double their original rate.
Consequent to the State Cabinet decision on February 14 last, the Principal Secretary of Health Department had issued a notification on February 26 prohibiting sale and produce of tobacco products like Gutka, Khaini, Zarda, Pan Masala, Talab and others containing nicotine.
This was followed by another notification by the Director of Health Services directing all concerned to make public the prohibition through use of loudspeakers in all the districts of the State.
However, no publicity had been ever carried by the concerned authority.
Moreover, the Government of India has not ban the factories and industries manufacturing tobacco products.
As a consequent, tobacco products continue to thrive although one has to shell out extra money to buy them.
According to an official report, use of tobacco products in Manipur has been increasing with more than one-third of the population addicted to one form or tobacco products or the other.
According to a survey conducted by this reporter, after the ban, prices of tobacco products in Imphal market have escalated.
The price of Khaini (can) has gone up to Rs 15 from Rs10; Zarda Pan (120) from Rs 7 to Rs 15 per piece; Zarda pan (160) from Rs 10/15 to Rs 20/30 per piece and Raja Khaini, which was earlier sold at Rs 5 per piece, has been increased to Rs 10 per piece.
Even though the State Government has put a ban on sale and consumption of tobacco products, many of the shops are still selling them with the only difference that shop owners now little cautious of selling tobacco products to unknown clients.
Meanwhile, Dr Momota Mukherjee, Chief Medical Offcier/Designated Officer, Food Safety, Imphal East has issued a notice for complete ban on manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution, display, sale and purchase of Gutkha, Khaini, Zarda, Pan Masala and other chewable and smokeless tobacco products containing tobacco or nicotine food ingredients in the market of Imphal East district in the interest of public health with immediate effect and until further orders.