Posted on: Posted Date – 11:50 PM, Wed – 11/16/22
Hyderabad: Doctors, public health groups and cancer victims are urging the government to strengthen tobacco control laws to reduce tobacco consumption and the prevalence of cancer cases, taking into account the recommendations of the 139th report of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.
Tobacco is the leading cause of cancer cases. Tobacco use is a major risk factor for 6 to 8 major causes of death and nearly 40% of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including cancer, cardiovascular and lung diseases can be directly attributed to tobacco use, a media India Voluntary Health According to a press release issued by the association.
The committee believes that effective measures to curb the sale of tobacco products are needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and recommends that governments abolish designated smoking areas in airports, hotels and restaurants, and encourage the implementation of smoke-free policies in organisations. It also proposes banning the sale of single cigarettes and imposing severe penalties and fines for offenders.
Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, Professor of Head and Neck Surgery and Surgeon General at Tata Memorial Centre, said: “By amending COTPA 2003, raising the minimum legal age for selling tobacco products from 18 to 21, and prohibiting advertising in smoking areas/points of sale, it is important to protect young people. Protection from tobacco is critical as it has the potential to reduce the initiation and progression of tobacco use to regular smoking'”.
Bhavna B Mukhopadhyay, CEO, Voluntary Health Association of India added, “Unrestricted and attractive advertising of tobacco products attracts innocent minds who are unaware of the adverse consequences of consuming these addictive products.”
