Chennai: The purposeĀ of the event was an attempt to sensitise stakeholders on tobacco control measures andĀ to protect the younger generation from falling prey to tobacco. Consumer Voice, Delhi, and Consumer Association of India, Chennai, organised a state-level workshop on tobacco control recently in the city.
Sharing the key findings of a recent study conducted in three cities of the State, Consumer Voice adviser – legal and projects, Amarjeet Singh, said, “The density of tobacco vendors is very high and proper records of the count is unavailable. The vendors are seen violating Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) and mandatory warning display board was not found at 94 per cent points of sale. Sale of loose cigarettes is rampant and records 93 per cent. A majority of the shops was also found selling non-tobacco products, thus breaching norms.”
He further suggested to develop a mechanism of tobacco vendor licensing in Tamilnadu by municipalities to control tobacco consumption.
State Director of Public Health, Dr K Kolandaswamy stated, “The government imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakh in 2018 just in Chennai city. But, the penalty did not prove a deterrent for selling tobacco products. They continue to advertise tobacco products and sell them near schools and educational institutions, targeting minors. So, we are working to bring in a policy where only licensed vendors can sell tobacco products.”
Commending the move of banning e-cigarettes, Consumer Association of India chairperson Nirmala Desikan, said, “A major success story in the State has been the ban on sale of e-cigarettes by the government recently. This is a major step implemented that helps minimise the potential health risks to electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) users and protect non-users from exposure to their emissions.”