By Dhruv
Recently an order was issued by the health department viz Notification No: HD/Drug/58/2012 vide SRO 68 dated 6th March 2013 imposing a complete ban on manufacture, storage, sale, transportation, display or distribution of Gutka, by whatever name and Pan Masala and Zarda containing tobacco or nicotine, as ingredients, by whatsoever name, with immediate effect. These orders were issued by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir through Commissioner Food Safety & Standards, Sh MK Dwivedi.
Through print and electronic media, a full awareness regarding the ill effects of these products viz Gutka, Pan Masala and Zarda was circulated with proper reasons to make complete ban on these products. Print and Electronic Media always screens the advertisements showing the ill effects of these products to aware the people about these products and the role of Print and Electronic media cannot be under estimated. But what is needed here is a complete and continuous campaign to stop the sale and purchase of these hazardous and toxic products in our state.
That educated and aware section of the society not only welcomed the decision but provided full support for this genuine cause. They all came forward together with the same voice appreciating the ban on these Tobacco Products.
But inspite of all the efforts and awareness campaigns, the result on the ground level is zero as at present these harmful chewable items are on full sale in every nook and corner of the Jammu and Kashmir state. Your can easily get these gutka and pan masala items at almost each and every shop.
Government has already banned the sale and purchase of these cancer causing products in our state but no punishable law has been framed to stop the sale and purchase of the items which are banned in the state.
Every responsible citizen is aware of the fact but where they should go to complain. We believe some department must be activated and must be given power to stop the sale and purchase of these products. Some amount must be fixed as a punishment to those selling those products with the cancellation of business licenses . At present these powers to punish were only lying with Food Safety & Standard department to check the sale and purchase but we the civil society believe the power to stop sale and purchase of these cancer causing products must also be give to POLICE Department & Metrological Department. CMO’s and BMO’s can also play a vital role in the implementation of banning these products in our state. All the CMO’s and BMO’s must report the sale and purchase of these items to
(1) The local police station for necessary action,
(2) Municipality officers who can cancel the business licenses of such establishments
(3) Meteorological departments who can impose the maximum fine on such establishments.
(4) SDM/Tehsildars/Naib-Tehsildars should also be involved for this cause.
We the civil society hope some steps for banning the manufacturing and import of these harmful chewable products should be taken and the other enforcement agencies like health department, police department, legal metrological department should also be activated to check the sale and purchase of these banned products in our state. Government has already fixed an amount of Rs 200.00 for smoking in the public places, in government offices, in hospitals, near educational institution and a same strategy should also be devised for this purpose also. Government has they ability to do the same iff Government wants.
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