Enforce tobacco control rules strictly: NGOs

Jaipur, Aug 22 (UNI) An advocacy seminar in Rajasthan marking the culmination of a year-long unique campaign on Tobacco Control Initiatives (TCIs) has urged the state and central governments for strict enforcement of the Tobacco Control Act.

The event, organised by Centre for Consumer Action, Research and Training (CUTS CART) drew the attention of the government towards the rule formulated by the Centre in May 2003 that all tobacco products should display large pictorial warnings with skull and bones on all packages. However, it said the Tobacco and Bidi Industry have been successful in pressurising the government and delaying the enactment of the law.

''Central government should withstand the pressure from Tobacco Industry go ahead and pass the Bill,'' demanded CUTS Associate Director George Cheriyan. ''Tobacco is the only legally available consumer product which when used as directed kills the consumer,'' he added.

''There is a dire need for strong enforcement of tobacco control by the government,'' Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital Director A U Rehman. There should be a ban on cultivation of Tobacco plants and the people employed in this sector be rehabilitated by shifting them in Ayurvedic herbs production and products, Dr Rehman added.

UNI