Law to ban tobacco in UP likely

The Uttar Pradesh government last week refused to issue an order to ban manufacture or sale of tobacco products in the state. But the government has assured examining the idea of bringing in an Act to put a ban on the tobacco products in the near future.

Replying to a question in the state assembly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Lalji Verma said the previous Bahujan Samaj Party government had banned the manufacture and sale of tobacco products through on July 19, 2002.

"But the ban was stayed by the Supreme Court hence there is no question of again issuing a government order to ban the use of tobacco products in the state," he said.

When BJP member Hukum Singh demanded that whether the government proposes to bring an act to ban the use of tobacco products in the state rather than issuing a government order, the minister said they will examine the demand.

Singh further maintained that the Supreme Court stay on the ban was on technical grounds over the related order.

The minister said the government had already issued an order banning smoking in public places while an anti-tobacco cell was functioning to monitor the provisions under different Acts.