Tamil Nadu People's Forum urges government to ban tobacco products
![Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, a surgeon at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, says, It will be a big step in eradicating the problem which is more relevant than liquor and drugs. It will be a deterrent, as earlier the police would impose a fine of Rs 200. Now it will deter sellers from distributing tobacco products to minors.†(Representational image) Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, a surgeon at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, says, It will be a big step in eradicating the problem which is more relevant than liquor and drugs. It will be a deterrent, as earlier the police would impose a fine of Rs 200. Now it will deter sellers from distributing tobacco products to minors.†(Representational image)](http://dc-cdn.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/dc-Cover-20160119035903.Medi.png)
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu People’s Forum for Tobacco Control organised a meet on Saturday to spread awareness on lack of tobacco control in the state, specifically to put pressure on the upcoming government to take stricter action towards its misuse.
TNPFTC president S. Cyril Alexander said, in the last three to four years, the government has not actively participated in the movement to curb tobacco use in the state. “In other states governments have banned chewable tobacco, sale of single cigarettes and also taken effective steps to stop its sale near schools. However, in our state the government has not banned any of these products,” explained Alexander.
TNPFTC is making a strong case against promising politicos being endorsed or supported by any tobacco companies. “We want to take this to the CEO and ensure that they will make this a rule and forbid any candidate who is in any way supported by a tobacco company,’ said Alexander.