Bengaluru: With state assembly elections around the corner, members of the Consortium for Tobacco Free Karnataka (CFTFK), an umbrella body of health experts and institutes batting for public health, have urged the major political parties to include tobacco control measures in their manifest followed by action while in power.
Dr. US Vishal Rao, a cancer surgeon and member of the Consortium, submitted a related memorandum to Dr. B. L. Shankar, K.P.C.C. Vice President, Karnataka, Shri Suresh Kumar, MLA, Bharatiya Janata Party, Karnataka and Shri Ramesh Babu, MLC, JDS Spokesperson, Karnataka, recently and urged them to their respective parties to include in the manifesto followed by policies and programs which will result in preventing unnecessary burden of tobacco related diseases and death. “Your simple action can save more lives which even a doctor cannot do,” he told the leaders.
Mr. SJ Chander, convenor, CFTFK, said that, in Karnataka nearly 2 crores are addicted to tobacco in one form or the others, in which 1/3 of them amounting to nearly 66 lakhs will die premature due to tobacco related diseases. “These Deaths and the burden of disease due to tobacco is preventable if political parties consider the measures suggested by us,” he added.
Some major points in the memorandum:
• Strict implementation of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).
• Complete ban of sale of drugs and Tobacco products around the educational institutions.
• Rehabilitate tobacco farmers. Support and encourage them towards alternate cropping.
• Public awareness on harmful effects of tobacco is an important measure for promoting healthy societies.
• Continued commitment towards tobacco control policies.
