Consumers' forum demands extension order on chewing tobacco

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Consumers' Legal Protection Forum (CLPF), Assam demanded to extend the prohibition order in manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution or sale of gutka, pan masala or any chewing materials containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients available in the markets of Assam.

On Friday, a delegation team of the Forum met Monalisa Goswami, Commissioner & Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department who is in the charge of Commissioner of Food Safety, Assam and submitted a memorandum demanding to extend the previous prohibition order for a period of 1 year more which will expire on November 22, 2020.

Advocate Ajoy Hazarika, Secretary, CLPF Assam stated that the government should extend this prohibition period in the interest of public health.

"In present COVID-19 epidemic situation, use of tobacco products is very vulnerable as aware by WHO, ICMR, Government of India and Government of Assam," Hazarika added.

Supporting CLPF's demand, Dr. Munindra Narayan Baruah, Managing Director, North East Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Guwahati said, "Out of 39,000 new cancer cases that are reported in the North-East every year, Assam alone contributes 29,000 cases. Assam became the hub of Cancer largely due to higher consumption of tobacco."

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