The State government is going to ban the sale of all types of smokeless tobacco in the State. State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while announcing this today said that the government would bring a bill regarding this in the coming budget session of the State Legislative Assembly in March.
“Till now, various State governments across the country are banning gutka, which is a mix of tobacco and pan masala, whereas the pure forms of tobacco are still being sold in such States. Assam would be the first State in the country to introduce a complete ban on the all forms of smokeless tobacco,” Sarma said addressing the media here.
The minister added that there was no use of banning gutka till pure form of tobacco was readily available in the markets, as the latter is far more harmful.
“We are hopeful to introduce the bill in March, but if it does not happen due to any reason, we would bring it through an ordinance after the Assembly session. The process would be expedited to get the bill approved by the monsoon session of the Assembly,” he said.
The Health Minister asserted that this step is being taken as a preventive measure for the oral cancer. He, however, added that Act would deal with banning the sale of tobacco products in the State and not with the production of the same.
“Till now, various State governments across the country are banning gutka, which is a mix of tobacco and pan masala, whereas the pure forms of tobacco are still being sold in such States. Assam would be the first State in the country to introduce a complete ban on the all forms of smokeless tobacco,” Sarma said addressing the media here.
The minister added that there was no use of banning gutka till pure form of tobacco was readily available in the markets, as the latter is far more harmful.
“We are hopeful to introduce the bill in March, but if it does not happen due to any reason, we would bring it through an ordinance after the Assembly session. The process would be expedited to get the bill approved by the monsoon session of the Assembly,” he said.
The Health Minister asserted that this step is being taken as a preventive measure for the oral cancer. He, however, added that Act would deal with banning the sale of tobacco products in the State and not with the production of the same.
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