Gurgaon braces to fight consumption of tobacco

Ahead of World No Tobacco Day, Gurgaon police is extending the drive to curb tobacco consumption to the entire district

The city police challaned 1,283 people from January to April this year for violations of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). The drive is to intensify in the coming days. The challans were issued to people found smoking in public places or selling tobacco to children.

The city police challaned 1,283 people from January to April this year for violation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

With World No Tobacco Day on Wednesday, the Gurgaon police, along with Sambandh Health Foundation, in collaboration with the Voice of Tobacco Victims (VoTV), is extending the drive to curb tobacco consumption to the entire district.

There are 14,800 deaths in Haryana every year due to tobacco-related diseases, said members of VoTV. As a result, police and civil society organisations have been spreading awareness in the city about not smoking in public places.

Manish Sehgal, Gurgaon police spokesperson, said, “We are keeping a close watch on people selling tobacco to children and strong action is being taken against them.”

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco kills more than seven million annually around the world. Cigarette smoking in India has also increased over the last decade, a WHO report said.

Sanjay Seth, trustee of Sambandh, said, “The key to reduce tobacco consumption is implementing COTPA effectively.”

Doctors in various hospitals also advised people to avoid smokers and smoking as the harmful chemicals cause cancer. “Pregnant woman and unborn children are the most critical category to be affected by tobacco consumption,” said Kanta Goyal, principal medical officer, civil hospital, Gurgaon.

Dr Surender Dabas, director, head, Neck and Thorax Surgical Oncology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, said, “Tobacco smoke consists of thousands of chemicals, including at least 70 known to cause cancer. These chemicals can also cause heart disease, lung disease or other serious health problems.”

Paras Hospital Gurgaon, organised a candle light march on Tuesday evening urging the government to stop the sale of tobacco products for a day every week.