Govt to launch prog, set up Regulatory Authority for tobacco contro

New Delhi, Mar 13 (UNI) The Government has decided to launch a new National Programme for Tobacco Control and set up a National Regulatory Authority to curb the growing menace which kills millions of people every year due to cancer, heart attacks and cause widespread damage to the economy.

Speaking at a workshop on Tobacco Control here today, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anbumoni Ramadoss said that the growing menace of tobacco can only be effectively curbed if there was a synergistic campaign and concerted effort by all the stakeholders.

Exhorting state governments and central agencies to effectively implement the legislative framework for advancing tobacco control, he stressed the need for sensitisation and awareness amongst the key stakeholders on the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.

Admitting that there was lack of a regulatory framework for effective monitoring and enforcement, Dr Ramadoss said that under the proposed National Programme, a National Regulatory authority would be constituted for effective monitoring and enforcement of Anti Tobacco Laws and FCTC provisions. The Authority would also be providing for surveillance and lab testing facilities.

The programme would also focus on capacity building of the stake at the local level by helping states set up State Tobacco Control Cells and District Level Monitoring/Outreach. Under the programme health workers, school teachers would be trained on ill effects of Tobacco and NGOs would be engaged to carry out a health campaign in Government Schools. A strong Information and Education campaign, tailored to regional needs, would also be launched, he said.

However, the effective implementation of this new programme would lie with states and with a few Central Government Departments, he pointed out and sought their cooperation and support in this endeavour.

Pointing out that the resource allocation for anti-tobacco initiatives have been increased from a mere Rs one crore in2005-06 to Rs five crore in 2006-07 and to Rs 40 Crore in 2007-08, he said that the Health Ministry has pursued the Finance Minister to raise / rationalise taxes on tobacco products every year.

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