Hindustan Times, August 23, 2007
EXPERTS AT an advocacy seminar, which began on Tuesday, unanimously agreed to demand the State and Central governments to strictly enforce the Tobacco Control Act and to show pictorial health Warnings on various tobacco products. The seminar marked the culmination of unique campaign on tobacco control initiatives (TCI) last for one year in the city.
Rajasthan Cancer Foundation, Jaipur President Dr Rakesh Gupta said that tobacco control should be the mission of every person. He suggested the government to increase tax on tobacco products like cigarettes, biris and gutkhas to control its usage. He appreciated the campaign on ‘I’CI involving 50 schools of the city.
The seminar was organised by CUTS Centre for Action, Research and Training (CUTS CART). Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital Tobacco Cessation Cell Director, Dr AU Rehman said that government enforce tobacco control. Cultivation of tobacco plants should be banned and planters should be shifted to ayurvedic herbs production. He said, “The root of an evil must be attacked to eradicate it.”
Indian Asthma Care Society Jaipur President Dharmendra Katewa appealed to school teachers and children to stage a dharna in front of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje’s residence for banning tobacco products in the State.
CUTS associate director and CUTS CART head George Cheriyan said that tobacco was the only legally available product, when used as directed, kills the consumer. It is the violation of basic consumer rights, such as right to safety, right to information, right to compensation and right to healthy environment. The seminar was aimed at advocating the policy makers and concerned authorities to control the use of tobacco among kids and at public places.