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No smoking rule stubbed out
Telangana State government is yet to implement the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP). Though advertisements of “no-smoking in public places” are found at some places, the government has so far not taken action against any violators, according information available with the Central Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Hyderabad: Telangana State government is yet to implement the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP). Though advertisements of “no-smoking in public places” are found at some places, the government has so far not taken action against any violators, according information available with the Central Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
A report prepared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MHFW) in December 2014 showed that the State had utilised the Central funds of Rs 89.74 lakh during financial year 2014-15 but failed to report what action it had taken to curb smoking in public and how the money had been spent. According to MHFW,
Karnataka State had implemented the laws very strictly and topped in registering large number of cases. Karnataka registered a total number of 1,13,790 cases and collected Rs 1.44 crore by way of penalties imposed on violators, followed by Tamil Nadu where 16,367 cases were registered and Rs 20 lakh collected.
Similarly, Delhi registered 2,054 cases and collected Rs 2. 21 lakh, Rajasthan registered 2,850 cases and collected Rs 3 lakh, Bihar registered 1,953 cases and collected Rs 2.95 lakh. When asked about the number of cases registered in Telangana State, the Hyderabad District Health Department and local police officials were clueless about activities under NTCP.
The NTCP was initiated in 21 states under National Health Mission (NHM) during 2007 by MHFW to create awareness on the harmful effects of tobacco use and to facilitate effective implementation of tobacco control laws.
The government has enacted Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COTPA) which includes specific provisions of prohibition of smoking in a public places (section 4) , prohibition of direct and indirect advertisement (section 5), prohibition of sale of cigarette and other tobacco products to a person below the age of eighteen years (section 6(a)), prohibition of sale of tobacco products near
educational institutions (section 6(b)), etc. The State governments are asked by the Centre to constitute committees at the State and District level to enforce the regulations.The official of the Hyderabad District Health Department said that the District Tobacco Control Committee has not been functioning for long. “Neither awareness activity nor enforcement of the Act happened since 2012,” he said.
By:G Bharat Krishna
