A quick smoking break might not be possible for youngsters as the Delhi government will soon remove vendors selling tobacco items within 1 km of any educational and health institute.
On May 1, the tobacco department in its special drive, will visit all the educational and health institutes in 11 districts. The department will act specially against the vendors who are selling tobacco in these areas. "These areas are vulnerable as the young kids are getting into the habit of smoking too. We will ensure that no tobacco vendor is seen within 100 metres of these institutes. Strict action will be taken against them," said Dr SK Arora, Additional Director (Health).
According to the experts, 90 per cent of oral cancers, 40 per cent of all cancers and 30 per cent of tuberculosis cases occur because of tobacco habits. Also, 20 per cent cases of diabetes, hypertension, heart attack and brain stroke are also linked to tobacco consumption, he said.
In a notification issued in April last year, Delhi government had banned manufacturing, storage, distribution, and sale of chewable tobacco products. However, the order couldn't be implemented properly due to lack of staff in the food safety department. Implementation of the order was interrupted several times as various firms approached Delhi HC against it. However, on September 23, Supreme Court upheld it.
Tobacco, in various forms, continues to be available in the market. According to health experts, consumption of tobacco products, like gutka, pan masala, flavoured or scented tobacco, causes thousands of deaths every year in the city. Gutka is a sweetened mixture of chewing tobacco, betel nut, and palm nut, originating in India as a breath freshener.
The Delhi Police has been independently running a campaign to reduce the use of tobacco. Delhi Police is actively involved in implementing the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) which, among other stipulations, bans smoking in public places. The Delhi Police has sensitised and trained police personnel in six districts and is in the process of training the balance seven districts.
SAY NO TO TOBACCO
- Government to ban tobacco vendors within 1km of schools, hospitals
- Tobacco dept to visit educational and health institutes in 11 districts
- In 2016, the HC had ruled in favour of banning chewable tobacco products
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