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Tobacco Free West Bengal Campaign applauds state govts decision to ban gutkha, khaini and pan masala

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 22 Nov 2019, 12:30 am

Kolkata: The West Bengal government has imposed a complete ban on the production and sale of gutkha, khaini and pan masala in the state for one year with effect from Nov 7, 2019.

Expressing his sentiments, Indranil Dasgupta, Programme Manager of Tobacco Free West Bengal Campaign, says 'We have the pleasure to congratulate our Hon’ble Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee and the State Government on behalf of Tobacco Free West Bengal campaign. We are delighted with the state Government’s decision to ban gutkha, khaini and pan masala throughout the state. We have been working relentlessly to create awareness about the ill effects of tobacco and the need to implement Sections 4, 5 and 6 of COTPA 2003. Even if this ban is being imposed only for a year, we are hopeful that Mamata Banerjee’s government will extend the time period. It is a huge step towards making our state Tobacco Free.We believe this Initiative was one of the most productive steps we had on the Tobacco Control Program in India where substantial progress has been made.'

Tobacco Free West Bengal is a non-governmental initiative which is making an effort to deliver high impact, evidence-based tobacco-control interventions.
 

This campaign is focused on achieving and implementing sustainable developments by the Govt. of West Bengal that will lead to substantial reductions in tobacco use and make the environment 'Tobacco Free'.

Image: Wikimedia Commons