Growing Consumption of Tobacco Based Product Extracts Heavy Toll
Ban on tobacco products proposed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 04 2013 : Amid growing concerns over increasing consumption of tobacco products such as Gutka (pan masala), Khaini and Zarda pan by people of all ages, particularly the youngsters, the Food Safety Standards Section of Directorate of Health Services has reportedly proposed to the Government of Manipur for banning 'smokeless tobacco'products.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Deputy Food Safety Commissioner T Brojendro Khaba stated that Health Department officials are aware of the harmful effects of tobacco product consumption by the general populace, especially women and teenagers but could not initiate effective measures to prohibit sale or consumption of tobacco items as it lacks official sanction of the Government.

Hazardous tobacco products

Nevertheless, Food Safety and Standards Section proposed to the State Government on September 19, 2012 for a Cabinet approval on banning smokeless tobacco products' that pose health hazards to the users, he said while noting that citizens have a tendency to complain only when there are health problems and calamitous consequences rather than avoiding such items.

Explaining that the September proposal sought the Cabinet approval to ban Gutka, Khaini, Zarda, Talab etc, Brojendro exuded confidence that once the proposal gets the Cabinet nod sale of such items could of such items could be brought down significantly, if not, entirely curbed.

Moreover, in case approved, selling or stocking of smokeless tobacco products by owner of small shops would be liable for punishment with one month jail term and penalty of Rs 5000, he said and added that for selling, purchasing, manufacturing, transportation, storage and display of chewable tobacco items such as Gutka, Pan Masala, Zarda etc the jail term will be upto six year along with Rs 5 lakh fine.

Highlighting that sale or consumption of smokeless tobacco products' had been prohibited by the Government of India with 11 States already implementing the ban, Brojendro said there is no reason why the Government of Manipur should allow sale or consumption of such harmful products in the State.

Further stating that under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 there is clear instructions that no consumer goods should contain substance injurious to health along with strong directive against use of tobacco and nicotine ingredients in any food products, the Commissioner expressed that banning such harmful products is inevitable to check health hazards in the State. Apart from consumption of such tobacco products making the users highly susceptible to suffer from cancerous diseases, young females with record of excessive usage of tobacco items are likely to have problems of miscarriages after marriage, he cautioned.