Bangalore, April 13, 2013:
Green and anti-Tobacco lobbies are seeking to push their agenda in the May five Assembly election in Karnataka. Public Affairs Centre (PAC) Bangalore has formulated a green manifesto for the State.
“It’s as part of PAC’s efforts towards promoting accountability and transparency”, PAC Director, Mr. R Suresh, said. “PAC has held state-wide consultations with academics, grassroots activists, environment related groups, citizens and other stakeholders in order to formulate a green manifesto. The manifesto aims to generate debate among the mainstream political parties on green issues in the state”.
In order to disseminate the green manifesto for the benefit of the general public, PAC has organised a public release of the manifesto at the Administrative Research Institute, (IAS Officers Association), No.1 Infantry Road, Bangalore (Ph. 080-22200269) on 15th April 2013 (Monday) at 10.00 am, by Justice (retd) M N Venkatachalaiah.
Meanwhile, the Institute of Public Health (IPH) and Voice of Tobacco Victims (VOTV), have put forward a demand before political parties to include public health, especially tobacco control, as one of the priority agenda as part of poll manifestos for the poll.
They also urged the political parties to declare they will not receive funding from tobacco industry as such motives undermine mandate of the parties and capability to take stringent tobacco control initiatives.
IPH also highlighted that farmers, who are into tobacco cultivation, are in hazardous livelihoods and the political parties need to work on positively to show alternatives to those engaged in such cultivation’s.
Victims of tobacco ill effects, including various types of cancer, in the State and noted doctors, who are helping these victims in fighting those ailments, have supported this demand. The same has been forwarded to senior party leaders in the State.
Why tobacco control?
Tobacco is one of the world’s leading causes of death and disability, killing more than one million people in India annually. As per the report released by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as well as recent studies, one tobacco related death is happening every eight second in the country! Karnataka presently has around two crore consumers, one third of who may die a premature death.
The Global Adult Tobacco Survey, by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, reveals that nearly 40% of males and 16% of females are currently using tobacco in Karnataka. Chewing tobacco is more common in Karnataka, compared to smoking. Nearly 23% of males and 16% of females use chewing tobacco products in the State.
Tobacco victims and activists urged the political parties to be serious about tobacco control and called upon politicians to be champions in fighting the cause. Even though tobacco consumption in public places is banned as per the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, there has been no control over the tobacco usage, according to Dr. Upendra Bhojani, Faculty, IPH, Bangalore.
