Gujarat to stub out tobacco ads

Violators face imprisonment and heavy penalties

Even as the ban on advertising of tobacco and related products comes into effect tomorrow, the state's law implementing authorities are putting in place an effective deterrent mechanism.

The health, home and legal departments of the state have been working overnight to work out ways to nab those who violate the Act and also to curb any such activities.

Effective tomorrow, there will be a complete ban on advertising of cigarettes, chewing tobacco, gutkha and even snuff as per The Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulations of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003.

The Act, which also prohibits sponsorship of sports and cultural events by manufacturers of these products, also has space to bring the industry under the control of the government.

I K Jadeja, minister of health and family welfare of government of Gujarat, said, "Subsequent to the Union government pronouncing the Act, we have conveyed the message to the industry bigwigs to make sure so no advertisements are seen effective May 1. We have consulted with the other department officials including the state home ministry and department of law and legal affairs to ensure prosecution of people or agencies, organisations violating the Act. Though there is some initial hiccups on the strict implementation of the rules, the agencies will slowly start taking stern action in this regard."

"According to the Act, we will also initiate action also against shopkeepers selling tobacco products to persons below 18 years of age. Such violation can lead to imprisonment, apart from a heavy penalty. Along with this, we will also make sure that people smoking cigarette, bidi or chewing tobacco products such as gutkha and chewing tobacco in public places are brought to book. The state has decided to spend a significant amount of money on public awareness campaigns," Jadeja told Business Standard on Friday.

S P Adeshara, the commissioner of Food and Drug Control Administration, said, " The issue is about dealing with the common people while enforcing rules on smoking and chewing gutkha in public places. This can be brought about by making the general public conscious as well as by implementing the law which entails imprisonment and penalties."

The Act also says that shops selling tobacco products will have to display a board at an easily seen location with a warning"" 'Sales of tobacco products to a person under the age of 18 years is a punishable offence.'

Like Gujarat, many other state governments, except those caught up in the election fray, have geared up to implement the Act.