The authorities had been not doing enough for effective implementation of the ban on tobacco in Andhra Pradesh, said Amarjeet Singh Panghal, advisor to Consumer VOICE, a Delhi-based consumer protection group on Tuesday.
He was addressing a workshop on ‘Tobacco Control in Andhra Pradesh’ organised by the Consumers’ Guidance Society here.
Expressing concern over the increase in the consumption of tobacco products resulting in deaths across the country, Mr. Panghal said the laws prohibiting the sale and the consumption of tobacco products were barely implemented.
He said a survey conducted in Andhra Pradesh showed that the sale of loose cigarettes was rampant despite a ban. He said small children were addicted to smoking, which made them vulnerable to diseases.
Ch Divakar Babu, secretary of the Consumers’ Guidance Society, said the government should prevent tobacco-related deaths, as they had been destroying families.
Geeta Prasadini, Additional Director of the Department of Public Health and Family Welfare, expressed concern over the growing number of such deaths in the country.
