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| Smoking out: Law enforcing agencies goes 'Blindfold' on Causers' | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Oct 15: Ever growing use of Tobacco products be it in any forms by the local and migratory population in Jammu and Kashmir, the state is fast turning to a 'smoker's paradise' while the concerned authorities remained slow to take action.
According to data by Global Adult Tobacco Survey - GATS India 2010, Jammu and Kashmir is fast emerging as the smoking capital of north India and stays on first place in second hand smoke exposure with 68% of the population exposed to second hand smoke.
The state even beats the densely populated Delhi. Also, J&K's monthly spending on 'smoking tobacco' far outstrips the national monthly expenditure averages. And the reason behind the case seems to be the law enforcing bodies apparently have failed in enforcing law despite strict orders from the High court and by the government to stop put curb on use of Tobacco at public places.
The much hyped Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) Act 2003 can be seen violated in and around the city especially when the authorities seemed to have adopted a lethargic approach towards the sensitive health issue.
As per above mentioned enactment there is ban on 'smoking' in public places like restaurants, clubs, bars visited by the general public, auditoriums, near railway stations and others. Not only this it also includes display of non smoking signs at prominent place as mandatory which also remains walled only as none from common masses or the authorities concerned seem to bother accordingly.
This act also says that in order to restrict access of youth for tobacco products, the sale of the same is prohibited in an area within radius of 100 yards of any educational institution ironically at several places it can be seen violated within and outside the city.
Meanwhile following some initiatives from the nodal law enforcing authorities the shopkeepers/vendors have turned to a clandestine practice and have started selling tobacco products only to the regular visitors only to have a hassle free business. Some educationists and social activists blame it on personal/individual approach saying if anyone wants to refrain from habit of using tobacco one needs to be make oneself strong with a will to 'give up' but as they say 'habits die hard' people are finding it difficult without a blink that they are sitting on a time bomb of health that can explode at any time in shape of any health ailment. |
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