Ban tobacco products near all educational institutions: Trade bodies to government

GUWAHATI: Three prominent business bodies have urged the government to ban the sale of tobacco products near all educational institutions.

Considering the consumption of varied products having tobacco which is injurious to health leading to serious illnesses and mortalities in many cases, the three organisations have jointly declared that the enforcement agencies should totally ban the selling of tobacco products near all educational institutions. They also appealed to parents, guardians, teachers, managements of educational institutions and hostels to ensure that the youths are properly explained the consequences of tobacco consumption so that they do not get addicted to such products.

The Assam Chamber of Commerce; the Consumer Voice, New Delhi; and also the 'Consumers Legal Protection Forum, Assam', have pledged to strictly abide by the 'Cigarettes & Other Tobacco Products Act -2003. They also jointly declared on Sunday that their members shall refrain from selling any kind of tobacco products to children and youths.

Assam Chamber of Commerce Chairman Rupam Goswami said in the statement that members of the association are told on a regular basis to comply with the provisions of 'COTPA 2003'. He added that the retailers require the community help to ensure that law is obeyed. He cited that the new law of COTPA Amendment alone will not bring changes unless enforcement is done.

For this, a mass-awareness campaign should be undertaken by the government and NGOs. He promised strict action against members who do not abide by the law of the land.

Ashim Sanyal, COO & Secretary of the 'Consumer Voice, New Delhi' has expressed his satisfaction over the first round of discussion with the 'Assam Chamber of Commerce'. He also appealed to the members of the Assam Chamber of Commerce to abide by the existing COTPA law and with any amendment clauses which the Central government is mulling to bring in place. He also pointed out that the gross violations around the educational institutions have been recorded during the 'Tiny Target' study conducted last year. He expressed the hope that retailers will refrain from targeting children and youth. The Secretary of 'Consumers Legal Protection Forum, Assam', Advocate Ajoy Hazarika has pointed out, "Tobacco control does not mean harming the livelihood of the tobacco retailers. It is a vital means to protect the lives of innocent children and youths from the use of tobacco."

He added that it is should be the duty of all retailers to ensure that they initiate measures at their levels to deal with such tobacco products. He said that massive mass-awareness campaigns along with the retailers will be organized in schools and colleges so that the tobacco-consumption levels in Assam can come down. He added that tobacco is a silent killer and children fall easy prey to such items.

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