Breaking New Grounds in Tobacco Control - Voluntary Health ...

Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions
on Sales) Regulations, 2011 provide that
tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as
ingredient in any food product.
The implementation of Food Safety and
Standards Act, 2006 rests with the State/
U.T Governments. In this regard, random
samples of various food articles including
Pan Masala are drawn regularly by the
State/U.T Governments and penal action is
taken against the offenders, in cases where
samples are found to be not conforming to
the provisions of the Act and Regulations
and Rules made thereunder.
As per the direction of Hon’ble Supreme
Court, National Institute of Public Health
had undertaken a comprehensive analysis
and study of the contents of gutkha,
tobacco, pan masala and similar articles
manufactured in the country and harmful
effects of consumption of such articles. As
per the report, substantive quantities of
nitrosamines, Benzo(a)pyrene and heavy
metals like lead, Arsenic, cadmium, Selenium,
Nickel, Mercury, Chromium etc are found in
various smokeless tobacco products.
Lok Sabha, Starred Question No. 237, 9 th December, 2011
Welfare Fund for Bidi Workers
The following legislations have been
enacted by the Parliament to set up welfare
funds to provide health care, education,
housing and recreational facilities to the
beedi workers, cine – workers and certain
non – coal mine workers:
•
•
•
The Beedi Workers Welfare Fund Act,
1976
The Limestone and Dolomite Mine
Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1972
The Iron Ore Mines, Manganese Ore
Mines and Chrome Ore Mines Labour
Welfare Fund Act, 1976
•
•
The Mica Mine Labour Welfare Fund
Act, 1946
The Cine Workers Welfare Fund Act,
1981
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has
initiated action for rehabilitation for the
beedi workers by providing them vocational
training in certain courses according to the
local market needs for viable alternative
sources of livelihood. Various welfare
schemes are also been implemented by the
Government for welfare of beedi workers
in the field of health, education, housing,
recreation and social security etc.
Lok Sabha, Unstarred Question No. 2856, 12 th December,
2011
Sale of Tobacco Products
The Government of India has notified “The
Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products
(Display of Board by Educational Institutions)
Rules, 2009” vide GSR No. 40 (E) dated 19-
01-2010 and it has come into effect from 19-
01-2010. The rules provide that no person
shall sell, offer for sale, or permit sale of,
cigarette or any other tobacco product in an
area within a radius of one hundred yards of
any educational institution.
The implementation of the aforesaid rules
relating to banning sale of tobacco products
within 100 yards of educational institutions
vests mainly with State/UT Governments. A
list of authorized officers to take cognizance
of violations have been notified vide
G.S.R. No. 619(E) dated 11-08-11. Further,
Government of India has issued necessary
instructions/guide lines to all State
Governments/ UTs for implementing the
ban on sale of cigarette or other tobacco
products near educational institution. A
Public Notice has also been published in the
leading national and regional newspapers.
Lok Sabha, Unstarred Question No. 3870, 16 th December,
2011
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January - March & April - June 2012