IMPHAL, August 22 NNN : Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today said the easiest way to deal with the problem of mass consumption of tobacco products among minors is to completely ban production and sale of this substance in the country.
Participating in the inaugural function of a two-day state level workshop on “Substance Abuse Among Children” at Hotel Classic here, Ibobi said that the state Cabinet has already decided to ban sale of all tobacco products in the state and that the law enforcing agencies are constantly seizing these items.
Ibobi said, “If we want to completely ban tobacco products, I believe we must completely stop its production.”
The Chief Minister further suggested that charging heavy taxes or price on these products to make children beyond their capacity to buy them will also certainly help in controlling its abuse.
Ibobi assured that the state Government will take up steps to deal with the problem of tobacco use.
State Social Welfare minister AK Mirabai and Dr Anju Dhawan from Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS, New Delhi also spoke at the workshop opening function.
NCPCR members VK Tiku (in-charge Northeast) and Dr Yogesh Dubey, and A Nabachandra Singh, Chairperson, Manipur State Commission for Child Rights, Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga, Principal Secretary for Social Welfare, Barun Mittra were also present at the occasion.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cm-proposes-ban-on-all-intoxicants/
