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GOA SENDS OUT THE RIGHT SMOKE SIGNALS ON TOBACCO
From Pamela D'Mello
Panaji: In dealing with tobacco eradication, the state of Goa seems to be sending out all the right smoke signals on WHO's tobacco free
campaign. In 1998, smoking was banned in public places and last month
authorities began a crackdown on the sale of gutka and panmasala here.
Both substances, estimated to contain some 4000 harmful chemicals, have been banned since January 26, 2003. Retailers have taken the products off their display counters after food and drug administration personnel began a confiscation drive.
The National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication, which lobbied government to impose the ban says consumption of gutka and panmasala had increased sharply in the 18-24 years age group. Similarly medicos in Goa noticed that
a larger percentage of under 30 year olds were reporting cases of submucous fibrosis and diseases of the oral cavity, says Dr Skekhar Salkar of NOTE.
NOTE surveys indicate that while smoking has decreased, oral tobacco chewing in this form has more young takers.
"Last year Maharashtra imposed the ban on gutka and pan masala, though it
had 30 factories manufacturing the products. Goa has no such liabilities"
argues Dr Salkar.
Most of the 35 brands in the market are imported from neighbouring
Maharashtra and Karnataka, which earns the Goa government a tax revenue of
Rs 1.5 to 2 cr annually.
Traders and stockists however complain that the sudden ban under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, has left them with huge stocks on their hands. Merchants associations claim the confiscation of products like zarda, sweet and plain betelnut has resulted in ambiguity and loss.
Meanwhile, some quarters here feel the state should attempt to challenge the illegal use of the Goa brand name to peddle the "Goa gutka" brand.
Manufactured in Gulbarga in adjoining Karnataka, the company with no connection to this state, has registered the trademark in Singapore.
On another front, Goa's public smoking ban, which elicited ridicule and consternation among smokers dubbing it a `big brother' act, is yet to make
any impact. The law borrowed from Singapore was a first in India, but was
followed up with only sporadic checks and fines.(ends)
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