India has said, it will continue to take strong steps to regulate smokeless tobacco products in the country. Inaugurating the 7th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP7) to World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) at Greater Noida today, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said, there is now a complete ban on manufacturing and sale of guthka and pan- masala containing tobacco or nicotine.
He said, as part of the tobacco control activities, the government has implemented large pictorial health warnings at 85 per cent of the area of the packaged tobacco products. The Minister said, India has launched a toll free tobacco cessation quitline and m-cessation services under be healthy be mobile initiatives.
He also said, under Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Act, 2015 there is a provision of imposing a penalty of 7-year rigorous imprisonment and a fine of 1,000 rupees for selling tobacco products to minors. Mr Nadda termed the challenge of tobacco control as formidable and called for a multi-sectoral action to health goals.
Later talking to reporters, Mr Nadda said, the government is seized of the concerns of the farmers engaged in tobacco cultivation and whatever alternatives are available for their livelihood would also be discussed in the conference.
Earlier, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena addressed the conference as a special invitee because of his deep involvement in tobacco control initiatives in Island nation during his previous tenure as a Health Minister. He drew the attention towards illicit trade of tobacco products. He also urged the FCTC to address the issue of smokeless tobacco seriously.
The WHO FCTC is the first global evidence-based public health treaty that recognises the right of all people to the highest standard of health. The treaty was developed by countries in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic.Over 1500 delegates from 180 countries are participating in the six day conference.