Mushrooming coffee stalls raise health concerns
Source: Chronicle News Service / Ngangom Suraj

Imphal, July 21 2025: The sharp rise in the number of unregulated tea/coffee shops across the state, especially in and around Imphal city, in recent years, has raised serious health concerns among adolescents and adults as these shops/stalls also double up as hubs for various types of tobacco products, both smoking and non-smoking.

In a state like Manipur, where unemployment remains a pressing issue, small tea and coffee shops have emerged as vital sources of livelihood for many young people.

Mushrooming coffee stalls raise health concerns

While these humble establishments not only offer employment opportunities for many but also serve as convenient spots for social gatherings, beneath this positive outlook lies a troubling reality - as majority of these shops have unknowingly become easy access points for tobacco products, often failing to comply with basic legal requirements such as displaying warning signs prohibiting tobacco sales to minors.

The lack of awareness among shop owners, coupled with the apparent negligence of enforcement by authorities concerned, raises serious questions about the effectiveness of public health regulations and their implementation on the ground.

These coffee shops have not only turned into hubs for easy access to tobacco products but also become gathering spots for individuals in inebriated condition.

With many of these shops operating till late at night and sometimes evan into the early hours, they have become hotspots for unruly behaviour.

Frequent acts of hostility among miscreants and other untoward incidents have become common sights around these unregulated establishments.

The Oversight by law enforcement authorities has only worsened the situation, raising serious concerns about public safety and the need for stricter enforcement of rules and regulations.

In an exclusive interview with The People's Chronicle, National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) state nodal officer Dr Sujata pointed out that while enforcement mechanisms are in place, the success of such measures largely depends on public awareness and responsible behaviour.

Without community participation and timely reporting of violations, it becomes difficult to monitor every corner, especially in areas where these shops operate beyond regulated hours.

Dr Sujata maintained that authorities are conducting routine inspections, imposing fines on shops that violate regulations, and holding regular meetings with law enforcement and district-level officers to ensure stricter enforcement; yet, the lack of active cooperation from the public continues to pose a significant challenge in effectively curbing these issues.

Referring to Global Adult Survey-1, she pointed out that in 2009-10, the prevalence of tobacco usage in Manipur was 54 percent of which 25.7 percent were smoking and 44.5 percent smokeless tobacco use.

The Global Adult Survey-2 (2016-17) revealed that the prevalence of tobacco use in Manipur was 55.1 percent (20.9 pc smoking and 47.7 pc smokeless tobacco use) .

In the survey, 35.9 per cent men, 6 per cent women and 20.9 per cent of adult smoked tobacco while 50 pc men, 45.2 pc women and 47.1 per cent adults used smokeless tobacco products, Dr Sujata highlighted, adding, the survey for the current year is underway after disruption for couple of years due to Covid-19 pandemic and the on going conflict in the state that broke out on May 3, 2023.The health professional explained that there are more than 7000 chemical compounds including 200 known poisons and 69 cancer causing agents in cigarette smoke while 3000 chemicals components including 28 cancerous agents are found in smokeless tobacco products such as zarda, khaini, gutka and pan masala blended with tobacco, mawa, misri and gul.

Globally, tobacco kills more than 8 million people per year.

In India, 13.5 lakh people (10 lakh-smoking, 3.5 lakh-SLT) die due to tobacco use every year.

Tobacco related cancers constitute 33.3 per cent (i.e, one-third) of all cancers in India.

48.7 per cent of cancers in male and 16.5 per cent in female are attributed to tobacco use, Dr Sujata cautioned.

It may be mentioned that, under section 4, 6a and 6b and of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA, 2003), a penalty of Rs 200 can be slapped per individual for smoking in public places, sale of tobacco products to or by minors; and sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of any educational institute.

First time offenders may be fined Rs 1000 or imprisoned up to two years or both and Rs 5000 fine or imprisonment up to five years or both for subsequent offence for direct/indirect advertisement of tobacco products and scholarship/sponsorship of any event by tobacco companies under section 5 of COTPA, 2003 .

Display of specified health warnings on all tobacco product packs is mandatory under section 7 of the Act defiance of which can result in fine of up to Rs 5000 or two years' imprisonment or both, for first offence by producers or manufacturers, while a fine of up to Rs 10,000 and imprisonment of up to five years penalty for subsequent offence.

For first offence for sellers and distributors, a fine of up to Rs 1000 or imprisonment of up to one year, or both and for subsequent offence, a fine of up to Rs 3000 and imprisonment of up to two years may be imposed for defying the Act.