Himachal govt bars its officials from participating in tobacco industry’s activities

The circular has been issued recently in view of the fact that different government departments end up taking sponsorship from tobacco industries, knowingly or unknowingly.

Himachal Pradesh government has issued a circular barring its officials from participating in any activity related to tobacco industry.

“All the heads of departments in Himachal Pradesh are instructed not to participate in any event organised by tobacco industry and also not to accept any kind of direct or indirect sponsorship or funding from corporate engaged in tobacco business,” the circular read.

The circular has been issued recently in view of the fact that different government departments end up taking sponsorship from tobacco industries, knowingly or unknowingly.

“Sponsorship from tobacco companies will weaken our tirade against tobacco, in which, Himachal is doing really well,” director health safety and regulation department Raman Kumar Sharma said.

Sharma said there are some events organised by tobacco companies where doctors are invited as technical experts. “Head of departments should refrain from participating in such events. It is equal to endorsing their products,” he added.

The directions have been issued in view of the implementation of The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) or COTPA Act, 2003.

“Under the act, the direct and indirect advertisement of tobacco product is prohibited. But some tobacco giants sponsor government programme, which is a kind of endorsement of their activities,” health activist Ramesh Badrel said.