In order to further flip the efforts to control the consumption of tobacco and its allied products in Jammu and Kashmir the Government is contemplating to constitute a high-level monitoring Committee under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister. The Committee will monitor the steps already initiated to curb the menace of tobacco and other allied products.
This was revealed by the Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma at a meeting of representatives of Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) held here today under his chairmanship.
Expressing concern over the increasing cases of cancer every year due to use of tobacco in different forms, the Minister stressed the need for strong measures to minimise the use of cigarettes, gutkas and other such products while seeking society's help in dealing with this social issue he said that only Government efforts are not enough but entire society has to contribute to get rid of this menace to save the younger generation. He also appealed the social/religious organizations to use their influence and aware the society about the ill effects of the tobacco and other drug abuses which are eating the vitals of the society.
Appreciating the efforts of the VHAI and other credible NGOs in the field of social services, the Minister said that all like minded organizations should come forward and help Government in fighting these social evils. He supported the pledge of VHAI for making the Jammu and Kashmir smoke/gutka free state and said that Government will take more steps to make the deterrent laws to deal with the situation. Yet it requires coordinated approach and vigorous awareness campaign to educate the common man so that they voluntarily shun this practice, the Minister asserted.
Responding to the issue of banning the gutkas in Jammu and Kashmir like other States, the Minister said that he has already passed on the specific instructions to the concerned and the matter is under active consideration of the Government. He said the Government will bring a legislation to ban the Gutkas in the State in near future because the issue is related with the health of people, he added.
The VHAI members suggested certain measures to make the Jammu and Kashmir tobacco free and smoke-free State. They also called for implementation of Food Safety & Standards Act-2006 which provides complete ban of Gutkas and all food products containing tobacco. They also suggested for earmarking adequate funds for tobacco control, imposing heavy taxes on all tobacco products, restriction on tobacco advertisements and mass awareness through media campaign.
Among others Executive Director, VHAI, New Delhi Ms. Bhavna Mukhopadhaya, Executive Director, VHAI, J&K branch, Mr. A.M. Mir were also present in the meeting.
This was revealed by the Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma at a meeting of representatives of Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) held here today under his chairmanship.
Expressing concern over the increasing cases of cancer every year due to use of tobacco in different forms, the Minister stressed the need for strong measures to minimise the use of cigarettes, gutkas and other such products while seeking society's help in dealing with this social issue he said that only Government efforts are not enough but entire society has to contribute to get rid of this menace to save the younger generation. He also appealed the social/religious organizations to use their influence and aware the society about the ill effects of the tobacco and other drug abuses which are eating the vitals of the society.
Appreciating the efforts of the VHAI and other credible NGOs in the field of social services, the Minister said that all like minded organizations should come forward and help Government in fighting these social evils. He supported the pledge of VHAI for making the Jammu and Kashmir smoke/gutka free state and said that Government will take more steps to make the deterrent laws to deal with the situation. Yet it requires coordinated approach and vigorous awareness campaign to educate the common man so that they voluntarily shun this practice, the Minister asserted.
Responding to the issue of banning the gutkas in Jammu and Kashmir like other States, the Minister said that he has already passed on the specific instructions to the concerned and the matter is under active consideration of the Government. He said the Government will bring a legislation to ban the Gutkas in the State in near future because the issue is related with the health of people, he added.
The VHAI members suggested certain measures to make the Jammu and Kashmir tobacco free and smoke-free State. They also called for implementation of Food Safety & Standards Act-2006 which provides complete ban of Gutkas and all food products containing tobacco. They also suggested for earmarking adequate funds for tobacco control, imposing heavy taxes on all tobacco products, restriction on tobacco advertisements and mass awareness through media campaign.
Among others Executive Director, VHAI, New Delhi Ms. Bhavna Mukhopadhaya, Executive Director, VHAI, J&K branch, Mr. A.M. Mir were also present in the meeting.
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