By IANS,
New Delhi: Concerned over some parliamentarians’ demand to scrap the restrictions on sale of tobacco products near schools and colleges, a voluntary organisation here has appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to take steps that would affect youngsters.
“A small group of MPs (Members of Parliament) has conveyed a demand to the Prime Minister’s Office to do away with the restriction on sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutes, citing impact on petty shopkeepers and traders,” said K. Srinath Reddy, president of Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI).
“However, diluting the existing provisions will make children and youth more vulnerable to the harmful effects of tobacco use,” he said.
“By permitting sale of tobacco products outside educational institutions alongside candies and soft drinks, young people will get the misleading message that tobacco in any form is normal, benign and socially acceptable,” he added.
According to section six of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA), 2003, sale of tobacco products to/by minors and within 100 yards of educational institutions is banned.
Monika Arora, director of Hriday, an organisation that works on dissemination of health related information amongst the youth, said: “Instead of giving in to the vested interests and pressure tactics of the tobacco industry, the government should ensure stronger and effective implementation of the COTPA.”
“We are extremely concerned and disturbed over the demand raised by the MPs against an important public health measure designed to prevent the children and youth. We want our MPs to think about the serious impact of exposing our youth to toxic and addictive product like tobacco by removing restrictions,” she added.
According to a 2006 Global Youth Tobacco Survey by the health ministry, 14.1 percent youngsters in India use some or the other form of tobacco.
Shockingly, the survey also revealed that 37 percent children in India start smoking before the age of 10 and everyday, 5,500 children begin tobacco use.