On the World No Tobacco Day on May 31, the Voluntary Health Association of Goa (VHAG), involved in creating awareness about tobacco control laws, research and documentation of tobacco use in Goa, said that implementation of the law is sorely lacking in the state.

The association has started working on an intense Tobacco/Smoke Free Goa Campaign’ in association with Voluntary Health Association of India from May. As part of this campaign, VHAG plans to work on advocacy and awareness in various Panaji schools and colleges on tobacco control by using different types of media.

VHAG has also begun monitoring the implementation of the ban on smoking in public places in Panaji area. The aim is to check whether awareness about the law is prevalent in the community and whether appropriate no smoking’ signages are up in every public place. They will also check for any violations.

According to the VHAG’s records, some of the problem areas include improper signages, signages in improper locations, no display of name and telephone numbers of persons in charge of complaints, ineffective rules for imposing fines etc.

The association states that many hotels find it difficult to maintain smoke free rooms and has found restaurants complaining even about educated customers insisting on smoking despite awareness of the law. Besides, some government offices are still unaware about any signage requirement. Almost all gaddas/street vendors selling tobacco products are unaware that it is a mandatory requirement to put up no sale to minors’ board in their stall.

Pressing for implementation of pictorial warnings on tobacco products, as per regulations, VHAG said that the pictorial health warnings on tobacco products effectively communicate the risks of tobacco use. Graphic warnings have greater impact and can be recognised by illiterates and children–two vulnerable groups.

Pictorial warnings on tobacco products are intended to increase consumer knowledge on the adverse health effects of tobacco consumption.


Source: Times of India