Headlines
Blanket ban on chewable tobacco in Delhi
New Delhi, March 30
A blanket ban on all forms
of chewable tobacco came into effect in the national capital from
Monday, with Health Minister Satyendra Jain asserting that the move will
help save the government's as well as people's money in treating oral
cancer.
Health department teams accompanied by Delhi Police
personnel would fan out in the capital to conduct surprise checks for
ensuring strict implementation of the ban, Jain told reporters.
Besides, the government would also launch awareness campaigns about the harmful effects of tobacco on health.
"Gutka,
tobacco, paan-masala are items which are harmful to health. The ban has
been implemented from today (Monday). The teams have been told to be
active in this regard. They will keep a strict vigil," Jain told IANS.
The
ban notification prohibits manufacture, storage, distribution or sale
of tobacco which is either flavoured, scented or mixed with any
additive.
Health officials, however, said "no such ban will be enforced on cigarettes".
The
officials said there was a Delhi government notification in September
2012 which was in pursuance of a series of Supreme Court directions to
ban gutka in the city.
But since the ban mentioned the term
'gutka', tobacco retailers had started selling the components of gutka
(betel nut and raw tobacco) in separate pouches.
So the purpose of banning gutka was not served, health officials told IANS.
Therefore,
the health department came up with a new proposal to ban all raw
chewable tobacco products in Delhi, an official said.