Violation of Ban on Tobacco rampant in City; authorities in deep slumber

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 02: In the absence of effective implementation of the ban on tobacco in Jammu, the sale of tobacco products is on full swing defying governments order at large.

Pertinent to mention here that the government in its order in the month of March has put a blanket ban on all the chewable tobacco’s production and its manufacturing besides transportation and stocking aiming to prevent the people from various diseases due to the use of these products.

In its order under notification HD/Drug/58/2012, the then commissioner has prohibited distribution of Gutkha by whatever name and pan masala or zarda containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients by any name.

The notification further read that SRO-68, regulation, 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on sales) Regulations, 2011 made by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 92 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (Central Act 34 of 2006) prohibits articles of food, in which tobacco or nicotine are used as ingredients.

Sources maintained that the different brands of tobacco products are available in the market and are being purchased by the user openly

“There are number of tobacco products available in the market in pouches of rupees 2, 5, 10 and 20” said a tobacco user preferring anonymity.

“The state government should close all the manufacturing companies of tobacco products in the city and should take strict actions against them after that the production will be stop” said Jagat Singh a local.

“Various times the department has seized the loaded trucks of these products, but this practice is still going on widely” said an official.

Despite repeating attempts Controller, Drug & Food Organization J&K, Satish Gupta could not be contacted for his version.