Delhi Police gears up to save children from tobacco
Delhi Police takes initiative to make Delhi Tobacco Free
New Delhi , for sake of children and future of youth and curbing the menace of tobacco Delhi police is going to take its initiative to train its officers and personnel. The first ever such training will be started with South Delhi Police whereas officers and personnel will lean how to use the appropriate laws against violators . A comprehensive plan has been set up for implementation of effective prohibition of tobacco and use of its use among children and youth with help of other organizations . The first training cum awareness program has been organized today by Sambandh Health Foundation, Max India Foundation and Voice of Tobacco Victims ( VOTV) at PHD Chamber Of Commerce premises ,Delhi for South Delhi Police personnel .
Addressing the Delhi Police personnel, the legal consultant of Ministry Of Health and Family welfare Mr Ranjit Singh announced that to curb the global consumption of tobacco products India is hosting the WHO Framework convention on tobacco control Seventh session of Conference of Parties( cop7) in India will be held from 7 to 12 Nov in whic180 countries with 100-1500 delegates will be participating. He pointed out that the Conference will take so many important decisions regarding Tobacco Control and its use, thats why Gov. Of India in order to show case India`s strong commitment to tobacco control to the world is working with several organizations towards strong implementation of tobacco control laws and making DelhiNCR Tobacco free.
The Ministry official said , about 24.3 people in Delhi are using tobacco and in many form ,it is alarming that more than 10,600 people die every years here dues to use of tobacco and its products whereas 81 children start using tobacco and its product every day in Delhi.
On this occasion South Delhi Police Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ishwar Singh expressed his concern on the issue and said that the campaign to protect children from tobacco is a very noble initiative. As citizens, Police see this as a problem – police have so many other problems to tackle. However, noting that police can play a large role in reversing this largest reversible cause of death and disease, Delhi Police will take strict action on the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act 2003 (COTPA-2003.). Police force itself suffers from usage of tobacco. The Police will educate owners of public places such as education institutes, malls, coffee shops, restaurants, bars and other organizations about the various sections of the law. Penalties will be imposed as per the law where there is non-compliance. The Police Department is committed to enforcing COTPA and making the capital a model city.
Dr. Mudit VoTV patron and Head neck cancer surgeon, Max Hospital said that tobacco is the single most preventable cause of death. Most of the teenage girls and boys who choose to consume tobacco in any form suffer from tobacco related diseases and are likely to die prematurely. I am seeing younger and younger patients coming to my OPD with tobacco-related cancers. Support from Delhi Police is commendable. Such initiatives are bound to bring the prevalence down.
Mohini Daljeet Singh, Chief Executive Officer Max India Foundation said that a key pollutant in Delhi is tobacco consumption. Craze amongst youth for different forms of tobacco is increasing, thus this campaign is very important. Max India Foundation is glad to be associated with the campaign and will continue to support the preventive initiative to create Healthy Capital of India.
She expressed her concern that even children younger to10 years use to start tobacco in their very tender age in Delhi. It is the matter of concern for all of us and why we will work to make Delhi Tobacco free with help of educational institute and other organization.
Sanjay Seth, Trustee and Chief of Operations of Sambandh Health Foundation said that modern, progressive states enforce COTPA to provide a healthier environment for their citizens. Police have played admirable role in implementation of COTPA to reduce tobacco consumption. He said, more than 5500 children start using tobacco every day in country and only 3 percent people able to quit it.
Pushpendra Solanki who is a 36-year-old oral cancer patient shared his story how he started using tobacco at the age of 27 and was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 32. This was the toughest time for him and family. He was a Production Manager in Gurgaon and he lost his job. Even till now he has not been able to get into a job and have started helping his father in the seed business to run his family. Tobacco destroyed a life.
