The Punjab Food and Supplies department has instructed its Legal Metrology wing to check the manufacturing of cigarettes containing less than 10 sticks to forestall any move of Tobacco Industry to launch one or two cigarette packs.Acting swiftly to the written communiqué of the Secretary Health, Ms. Vini Mahajan in this regard to the Secretary Food asking him not to allow cigarettes containing less than 10 sticks, as tobacco companies are already planning to manufacture single stick packs to circumvent the ban on sale of single stick/loose cigarettes.Mahajan said that during Tobacco Control drives it has come to the notice of Health Department that Tobacco Industry is planning to launch one or two stick packs of Cigarettes to circumvent the ban on sale of single stick/loose cigarettes which has been banned under section 7 of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003.
She also said that due to less cost of these packs, they are easy available to young consumers & with not allowing these packs, age of initiation of tobacco can be delayed. She also said that Punjab was the first state in India to ban the sale of loose cigarettes (as single sticks).Ms. Vini Mahajan also said that the tobacco control cell of the state had been passionately pursuing the agenda to bring down tobacco consumption in Punjab and banning of loose cigarettes was a step in that direction. She has especially asked the officials of Excise department to keep a periodic check sale of illicit/contraband tobacco products. She said that this will go a long way in reducing prevalence of Tobacco in State of Punjab by reducing the age of initiation.
Meanwhile the Health Minister, Mr. Surjeet Kumar Jiyani, reiterated that sale of loose cigarettes/tobacco, chewable tobacco products & E-Cigarettes was completely banned in Punjab. He said that the concerted efforts of Punjab government got due recognition by WHO on World No Tobacco Day. Strict action under law would be taken against the shopkeepers who violate various provisions of COTPA and FSSAI. He added that there are many poisonous chemicals in tobacco due to which about 2200 people are killed daily in India. So it is very important to curb this menace. License of a commercial establishment can be cancelled in case of violation of Tobacco Control Act as per latest notification of Punjab Govt. The Minister appealed to common people to help Government in this endeavor.