Tobacco Control : Advocates & activists urges state govt. to ban chewing tobacco

Bengaluru: The advocates arguing for Tobacco Control have urged the state government to ban chewing tobacco of all forms in the state including farming, processing and chewing. Supreme Court advocate KV Dhananjaya who is leading the organisation alleged that state government is constantly violating the Supreme Court directions in this regard.

"Supreme Court in its order October 2016 order has banned all kinds of chewing tobacco including production and distribution. State government had issued a notification in this regard too. But on May 6 this notification has been withdrawn under pressure,' he said.

"State government has withdrawn notification fearing loss of Rs.10,000 crore tax revenue. To protect the interest of 15 chewing tobacco manufacturers, the state government is going against the directions of the Supreme Court," he said adding that an estimation projects that 33% of youths in the state are using tobacco which is an issue of grave health problem.

Freedom fighter Dr HS Doreswamy stated that if state government does not change its decision then a protest in front of the Chief Minister's house with the dead body of a cancer patient will be staged.

Social activist Ravikrishna Reddy informed that tobacco farming is not an agricultural activity and all decisions are taken without consulting the experts. "We want state government to hold discussion with experts and continue the ban order," he urged.