By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
Srinagar: In a major embarrassment for ruling People Democratic Part in Jammu and Kashmir, two of its ministers, Haseeb Drabu and Abdul Rehman Veeri, were seen smoking in public, which is restricted under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 in the state.
Haseeb Drabu, the state Finance Minister and Adbul Rehman Veeri, Minister for Public Works and Parliamentary Affairs surrounded by people and police men were puffing cigarette without worrying about the laws.
The previous and incumbent Jammu and Kashmir Government on various occasions have made their stand clear against consumption of cigarettes and other Tobacco Products by taking strict measures on offenders. Recently, the Police also took out a drive to remove illegal billboards and advertisements from city centers and banning sale of tobacco products near educational institutions.
Importantly, on May 14, a delegation of Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) consisting of its Director Seema Gupta and J&K and its J&K President Ali Mohammad Mir, had met J&K, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to discuss the various measures required to be taken for comprehensive implementation of COTPA (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act) at the state-level and creating more smoke-free settings.
The Chief Minister while showing much concern over the health issues had sought support of the group in generating mass awareness about hazards of tobacco smoking, which has shown an alarming upward trend in J&K.
She asked the organization to liaise with the State Information Department so that both print and electronic media are roped in to protect people from the menace of smoking.
The Chief Minister had assured the delegation of taking all out measures to protect the health of people by strictly enforcing COTPA. She also gave directions to police for immediate removal of illegal billboards and advertisements from city centres and banning sale of tobacco products near educational institutions.
In the back drop of such initiatives by the government, its own ministers who are holding important portfolios are making a mockery of COTPA.
“Smoking in public places is prohibited and its particularly important for public figures to follow and enforce this rule, so that it sets an example for others to follow but this is harming our efforts which we have been trying all these years to enforce in this state,” President, Jammu and Kashmir (VHAI), Ali Mohammad Mir told TwoCircles.net .
As per Section 12 of the COTPA, any police officer not below the rank of the sub-inspector can take action against such violations.The COTPA, enacted in 2003 and applicable to the entire country, was mainly to discourage the consumption of cigarettes and other tobacco products by imposing progressive restrictions and to protect non-smokers from passive smoking and a fine up to Rs. 200 can be imposed for smoking in public place
In a recent survey conducted by Government of India, the monthly expenditure on smoking tobacco in Jammu and Kashmir is substantially higher than the national monthly expenditure. Nearly 70% of adults are exposed to tobacco smoke in Jammu and Kashmir and the state is now emerging as the highest spending state on tobacco products.
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