Over 700 people appeal to PM Narendra Modi to strengthen tobacco control law

GUWAHATI: A three-day series of street plays with the theme "Strengthen Tobacco Control Law to Save Lives" was organized by the Consumers' Legal Protection Forum (CLPF), Assam, in collaboration with Consumer VOICE, New Delhi, from June 23 to June 25 at different parts of Kamrup (M). The three-day Street Play programme ended with the submission of a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday evening.

The inaugural ceremony was held at the premises of the Directorate of Health Services, Hengerabari, on June 23. Dr. Nilmadhab Das, Director of Health Services, Assam, Dr. Ruplal Nunisa, Addl. Director of Health Services; Dr. Bhanu Saikia, Jt. Director of Health Services; and Dr. Arundhati Deka, State Nodal Officer, NTCP, jointly inaugurated the Street Play series. In his inaugural speech, Director Dr. Nilmadhab Das said that the use of tobacco poses a significant risk factor for Non-Communicable diseases, including cancer, cardio-vascular diseases, and lung disorders. It is deeply concerning that tobacco companies are deliberately targeting teenagers and young individuals, enticing them to consume products such as gutkha, bidi, cigarettes, and other tobacco items through aggressive marketing strategies. It is of absolute importance that anti-tobacco laws are strengthened and made comprehensible for better implementation in order to safeguard the children and citizens of our country from the harms of tobacco.

In these three days, 10 street plays were performed at Down Town, Hengerabari, Guwahati Railway Station, Dhirenpara, Adabari Bus Stand, Jalukbari, Lokhra, Babunimaidam Market, Narengi Market, and Fancy Bazar area to sensitise the stakeholders and create awareness among the common people for effective tobacco control laws to protect the young generation from the tobacco menace. During the street play, advocate Ajoy Hazarika, Secretary, Consumers' Legal Protection Forum, Assam, conducted an awareness drive among the common people and appealed to the Government of India to strengthen the tobacco control law in the up-coming session of Parliament. He urged removing the designated smoking areas to make India 100 per cent smoke-free and banning the point of sale to save the younger children and youth from the menace of tobacco.

Members of CLPF displayed placards with slogans to strengthen tobacco control laws. More than 700 common people across Kamrup (M) signed a memorandum and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen the tobacco control law to save the young generation from tobacco addiction, stated a press release.

Also Read;  World No-Tobacco Day Observed across Assam

Also Watch: