Is Maharashtra government skirting tobacco ban?

States like Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Bihar have banned gutkha sale but Maharashtra is yet to take such a bold step. However, the alarming rate of tobacco consumption especially among the young population is a cause for concern. Some experts feel the tobacco lobby is too strong and won't back down as it generates revenue for govt, others feel merely imposing a ban won’t resolve this issue. The need of the hour is to spread public awareness regarding harmful effects of consuming tobacco in any form. Speak Up brings you expert views

FDA isn’t aware about the contents of gutkha
I recently met Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and personally mentioned to them that the state government must act very fast in enforcing laws to curb tobacco use. Ajit Pawar in his public talk at Shanmukhananda Hall in Mumbai had promised to work on banning gutkha in the state before June 10 this year, but nothing has materialised till now.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has very strict guidelines, which is now a law. It states that no food items consumed orally should contain tobacco or nicotine. Then gutkha, mishri (roasted tobacco powder) and other tobacco products should be considered as food and the government must ban them.

Gutkha was banned in the past by the state but the Supreme Court lifted it because the case was filed on the grounds of adulteration of gutkha with magnesium sulphate and not for health reasons. The FDA as of now does not have information regarding the contents of gutkha.

As per our organisation’s survey, 20% of school-going children in the state are consuming tobacco in some form or other. The government must wake up to this reality and take steps to curb tobacco usage especially among the young population. There is no doubt that the tobacco lobby is very powerful and will see that no ban is ever imposed. But if states like Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Bihar have banned gutkha, why can’t Maharashtra take the same initiative?
—Dr Kalyan Gangwal, founder president, Surva Jeevan Pratishthan

Many Ganesh mandals are sponsored by gutkha lobby
There is lack of anti-tobacco legislation in the state because the tobacco lobby is very powerful and influential due to its money power. Those who are voicing to ban tobacco products in the state must first prepare a strong case on the same. Without mass awakening, the government cannot be forced to take any action.

The government will keep making false promises and do nothing.

For example, during Ganeshotsav, several Ganesh mandals in cities like Mumbai and Pune are sponsored by the gutkha lobby. The government must ban the so-called surrogate advertising by gutkha, tobacco and alcohol industry.
—Ajit Abhyankar, district secretary, CPI (M)

Consumption of tobacco causes heart illness or cancer
For the past 18 years, I have been running an awareness drive against consumption of gutkha, tobacco products and smoking.

Till now, 90% of those who have visited me for counselling related to heart illness have consumed tobacco in some form or the other.

In rural areas especially, people use mishri daily for cleaning their teeth because they are addicted to tobacco. Till the age of 50-60 years, 88% of these people either develop heart blockages, oral cancer or other tobacco-related illness. I have observed that those who consume or smoke tobacco between 35-65 years of age either suffer from heart illness or cancer, that too mostly oral cancer.

It is not that the government is ignorant about the issue. It is just that politicians talk but do not act on their promises. We need a complete ban on gutkha because it is affecting the health of labourers who are its biggest consumers. I don’t think the government’s awareness drive against tobacco consumption through media will help as tobacco products are easily available in the market.

For example, during Ganesh festival, tobacco product manufacturers openly sponsor these mandals and flash their advertisements. At least on ethical grounds, the government and the Ganesh mandals must stop this practice.
—Shrikant Mundada, managing trustee, Hriday Mitra Pratishthan

Everybody should join hands to eradicate tobacco addiction
Introducing a total ban on tobacco products is a central government issue. I don’t think the state can take the decision solely. I don’t see any advantage in banning just gutkha when on the other hand you are allowing sale of other tobacco products in the market.

I think people themselves should realise about the serious harm caused by tobacco consumption or smoking. Even if the ruling party is not effectively dealing with the issue, what are other political parties, NGOs, medical fraternity and activists doing to tackle the same?

Even if we bring a complete ban on tobacco products, the question remains that are people ready to handle their tobacco addiction? To eradicate tobacco consumption and smoking, we need a concrete step-by-step plan in place. Immediate banning is not a solution to this problem. We have to look at tobacco addiction as an illness. Not only the government but everyone must come together to eradicate tobacco addiction.
—Narendra Chitte, de-addiction expert

Banning tobacco will encourage black marketing
The tobacco industry is a big revenue generator for the government, which is far greater than the funds the government spends on treatment of tobacco-related illness through various policies. The other main reason is that majority of our people are not aware that tobacco consumption or smoking is the main cause of cancer, heart ailments, asthma and various other health complications.

In my opinion, any kind of prohibition or ban will not help as it will increase its consumption and encourage black marketing. The best option is to create public awareness. It is the responsibility of the government along with various NGOs, who are working for the cause, to educate the public about the harmful effects of tobacco. The tobacco lobby will always protect its vested interests and try to control and influence those who make anti-tobacco laws.
—Dr Sumit Bhatti, ENT surgeon