Another Noida village bans tobacco

After Sarfabaad and Hoshiyarpur, another Noida village has joined the anti-tobacco movement. On Wednesday, Sorkha village imposed a complete ban on the sale and consumption of tobacco in its area.

After Sarfabaad and Hoshiyarpur, another Noida village has joined the anti-tobacco movement. On Wednesday, Sorkha village imposed a complete ban on the sale and consumption of tobacco in its area.

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At a panchayat in the village, the elders discussed how the youth have been wasting money on tobacco products and suffering from diseases. “Farmers got compensation for their land acquired by the government. Now, their young children have started spending the money lavishly on gutkha, cigarettes and alcohol. We have to curb the social malaise,” said Naresh Yadav, village head of Sorkha.

The village head said that the same rules apply to sale and consumption of tobacco as has been fixed by the panchayat of Sarfabad. “We held a meeting of senior residents of the village and stamped the decision of complete ban on tobacco products in the area. Sellers of tobacco products will be fined Rs. 1,000 while those consuming it will be penalised Rs. 500,” Yadav said.

He added that a team of senior residents would be constituted to implement the orders. Besides, the panchayat will also reward the person if he or she informs it about sale and purchase of tobacco in the village.

Women residents of the village have demanded similar orders against sale of liquor in the area. Janki Kumari of Sorkha village said, “Men are spending lavishly on alcohol, gutkha and cigarettes. The money they have got as compensation is getting waste over such harmful products. Our children are also getting addicted to these products. We hope such orders will help curb the menace.”

Panchayats of villages, which have banned tobacco, are now mulling over prohibiting sale and consumption of liquor in their areas.