Anti-Tobacco Act & deadly pan masala

When the Anti-Tobacco Act was first enacted in Assam many expressed happiness thinking that at least there would be a break in the sale of tobacco or tobacco products. But in practice, it was not experienced. Rather the sale kept galloping to reach such an extent that the tobacco-related diseases also kept increasing by leaps and bounds with the result that Assam starts occupying a distinctive position in the tobacco-related death. A news item published in a section of the press suggests that a division bench of the Gauhati High Court after hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a ban on the sale, manufacturing and supply of Pan Masala containing magnesium carbonate as an ingredient directed the State government to file an affidavit and collect sample of the Pan Masala. Incidentally, any food item becomes a killer as it is the root cause of deadly diseases like cancer and cardiac problem. In the manufacturing of Pan Masala, particularly in ‘Kamala Pasand’ and ‘Bimal’ brand- Potassium carbonate is an ingredient. The use of these two brands of Pan Masala is very much common among all sections of people of Assam. When all those the people addicted to tobacco flout the ‘Anti Tobacco Act’ making a mockery of those who enacted it, it is a pity that our ruling dispensation miserably fails to harness the addiction to tobacco and pushed these addicted people to the jaw of death.

Through your esteemed daily we appeal to our Chief Minister to take up the matter with all seriousness and to maintain a tough stand to those flouting the Act so that no further damage is caused by Pan Masala.

Ashok Bordoloi

Dibrugarh