In a powerful reaffirmation of its commitment to public health, the Kerala government has imposed a blanket ban on the manufacturing and sale of gutka and pan masala (tobacco-based products) in the state.
Announcing this at a Press conference here on Friday, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the state government had enforced the ban on gutka and pan masala under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Regulation Act, 2011. “Violators of the law can be imprisoned for up to six years and a fine of Rs500,000 will be imposed on them,” Chandy said.
“I have come across several oral cancer patients and in person realised the pain and trauma that they and their family members undergo.Though our state has advanced centres and experts for cancer care, use of gutka and pan masala is inviting unwarranted sufferings,” he said.
The increasing incidence of gutka-induced diseases like oral cancer prompted the government to act. “The government would spare no efforts to enforce the ban on gutka and pan masala and will take strong measures to maintain and improve the health of our people,” the chief minister said, hoping that this Kerala model in the public health would be another precedent.
Chandy had written to the prime minister in July seeking a total ban on gutka and pan masala across the country. The Federal Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in last week of April this year, replied that states had the jurisdiction to ban gutka and pan masala under the Food Safety and Standards Regulation Act, 2011. The Health Department initiated steps immediately in this regard following this.
The notification banning gutka and pan masala in Kerala issued by Commissioner of Food Safety, Kerala on 22 May prohibits the manufacture, storage, distribution and sales of these products that contain tobacco and nicotine, in whatsoever name it is available in the market today.
The chief minister pointed out that a coordinated effort was needed to strictly enforce the ban. “The ban will be successful only if it is implemented in both letter and spirit. We will work with all stakeholders — police, teachers, health personnel and voluntary associations to achieve this,” he said.
Health Minister V S Sivakumar, who was present in the Press briefing, said that the government was aware and concerned about the wide use of tobacco and nicotine in gutka and pan masala nowadays.
“The use of gutka and pan masala begins as a mouth freshener or stress reliever. But quickly, people get addicted to these products due to the tobacco and nicotine in them and very soon develop painful oral diseases,” he said. “Such products are not just favoured by people from poor socio-economic background; today school and college going students are the biggest victims.”
“The health ministry will work with the education department to ensure that the ban is strictly implemented and monitored with the help of three-tier committees formed for monitoring sale of tobacco products around schools,” the minister added. Tobacco-based gutka and paan masala is already banned in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka.
source:khaleejtimes
Announcing this at a Press conference here on Friday, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the state government had enforced the ban on gutka and pan masala under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Regulation Act, 2011. “Violators of the law can be imprisoned for up to six years and a fine of Rs500,000 will be imposed on them,” Chandy said.“I have come across several oral cancer patients and in person realised the pain and trauma that they and their family members undergo.Though our state has advanced centres and experts for cancer care, use of gutka and pan masala is inviting unwarranted sufferings,” he said.
The increasing incidence of gutka-induced diseases like oral cancer prompted the government to act. “The government would spare no efforts to enforce the ban on gutka and pan masala and will take strong measures to maintain and improve the health of our people,” the chief minister said, hoping that this Kerala model in the public health would be another precedent.
Chandy had written to the prime minister in July seeking a total ban on gutka and pan masala across the country. The Federal Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in last week of April this year, replied that states had the jurisdiction to ban gutka and pan masala under the Food Safety and Standards Regulation Act, 2011. The Health Department initiated steps immediately in this regard following this.
The notification banning gutka and pan masala in Kerala issued by Commissioner of Food Safety, Kerala on 22 May prohibits the manufacture, storage, distribution and sales of these products that contain tobacco and nicotine, in whatsoever name it is available in the market today.
The chief minister pointed out that a coordinated effort was needed to strictly enforce the ban. “The ban will be successful only if it is implemented in both letter and spirit. We will work with all stakeholders — police, teachers, health personnel and voluntary associations to achieve this,” he said.
Health Minister V S Sivakumar, who was present in the Press briefing, said that the government was aware and concerned about the wide use of tobacco and nicotine in gutka and pan masala nowadays.
“The use of gutka and pan masala begins as a mouth freshener or stress reliever. But quickly, people get addicted to these products due to the tobacco and nicotine in them and very soon develop painful oral diseases,” he said. “Such products are not just favoured by people from poor socio-economic background; today school and college going students are the biggest victims.”
“The health ministry will work with the education department to ensure that the ban is strictly implemented and monitored with the help of three-tier committees formed for monitoring sale of tobacco products around schools,” the minister added. Tobacco-based gutka and paan masala is already banned in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka.
source:khaleejtimes
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