Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Dedicated programme for tobacco control under Eleventh Plan: Ramadoss



News -Dedicated programme for tobacco control under Eleventh Plan: Ramadoss


Apr 24 2007

New Delhi


Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on Tuesday said that a dedicated National Programme for Tobacco Control will be instituted under the Eleventh Five Year Plan.

Delivering the keynote address at the American Cancer Society's (ACS) 'Leadership Training Programme on Community based Cancer Control', Ramadoss said: "Under the programme, a National Regulatory Authority (NRA) to monitor and regulate the effective implementation of tobacco control laws will be set up".


The vital components of the programme include a State/District level programme and setting up of tobacco testing laboratories for content regulation.A public awareness campaign highlighting the ill-effects of tobacco will also be launched under this programme.


In India more than 40 per cent of cancer cases are caused due to tobacco. On an average, tobacco claims over 2000 lives in the country every day.To curb the epidemic, a comprehensive tobacco control legislation has been enacted, which include provisions like ban on smoking in public places, prohibition on sale to minors and ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.


The Health Ministry has also instituted the "Tumbakoo Virodh Puraskar" to be conferred in four categories, namely individual, institutions, civil society organisations and State governments on the World No Tobacco Day every year.



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