Experts discuss ‘manipulations’ of tobacco industry

“Even after the 1975 Cigarettes Act, there is no warning on the fatal consequences of tobacco in beedi or chewing tobacco products. This is shameful for a country, which claims to have one of the first consumer protection legislation and is also one of the first signatory of the Framework Convention of Tobacco Control (FCTC),” added Goswami.

Shoba John, director, Framework Convention Alliance (USA) said that at the Conference of Parties (CoP) held at South Africa in November this year, Article 5.3 guidelines of the FCTC was further developed.

The Article, she said, specifically calls for ensuring that all efforts to protect tobacco control from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry are comprehensive and effective. High Court Advocate APS Shergill, a member of the Chandigarh Tobacco Control Cell, said: “The police and the drug administration should act proactively and not wait for someone to file complaints and writs in the court.”