“Tobacco Consumption is Injurious to Health”…
We see such warning labels on tobacco packets, newspaper classifieds and television ads, but tend to ignore it as we willingly prefer an unhealthy lifestyle. Over the years, many government bodies have restricted the use of tobacco in public places and workplace. Nevertheless, people still have a tendency to repeat the act, when no one is watching. The worst thing about tobacco consumption is the red spittle that adorns walls and roads—a courtesy of avid tobacco consumers. To check this habit from spreading, Rajasthan medical and health department has banned tobacco sale near hospitals and health centers in Rajasthan.
This Monday, Mr. Naveen Jain, Health Secretary, Rajasthan sent a circular to all chief medical and health officers, medical colleges, sub-divisional and satellite hospitals, district health in-charges, and sub-centers to put this order in practice as soon as possible. Rajasthan health department aims at sending a strong message to all tobacco consumers by restricting its consumption in and around public places.
Concurrently, all ‘gutka’, cigarette and tobacco hawkers located within 100 yards of all Rajasthan health centers have been notified to remove their establishment. To spread this message far and wide, all hospitals and private facilities will put up sign saying “Tobacco Free Health Care Facility” following implementation of tobacco ban. The signage will be put up at the main entrance, exit gates, parking space, stairways, corridors, lifts, cafeterias and meeting rooms.
The rule is applicable to all district hospitals, medical awareness camps and health colleges too since they come under the ‘Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Prohibition Act of 2003. The act prohibits “Advertisement and Regulation of Trade & Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution” of tobacco and nicotine products around health and educational institutes, in compliance with sections 6 and 4 of the COTPA act. This information was provided to us by Mr. Jain.
In case you’re wondering what this act is all about, you ought to know that—
- Section 4 under COTPA prohibits smoking in public places and
- Section 6 under COTPA prohibits sale of cigarettes and tobacco in and around educational institutes.
It’s mandatory for all health and education centers to follow this act. It’s the responsibility of the institution head or in-charge to oversee the implementation of these acts.
According to Dr S.N. Dholpuria, the NTCP (National Tobacco Control Program) nodal officer, Rajasthan is one of the first states in India to implement the put COTPA act in practice. If state consultant Mr. Narendra Singh is to be believed, the Union health ministry has issued around 3.69 lakh challans under COTPA in 24 states, out of which, 2 lakh challans have been issued by Rajasthan authorities itself.
Dr. Pawan Singhal, the chief Cancer Surgeon at Sawai Man Singh Hospital believes that including health institutions under COTPA act is an innovative step to discourage tobacco consumers from using narcotics in public place.
After banning tobacco consumption in public places, Rajasthan looks forward to solving alcohol issue in state. It’s a welcomed step that will help resolve addiction issues in Rajasthan.
