NOBLE CAUSE: Cardiologist of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology I.B. Vijayalakshmi having a word with former Chief Justice of Karnataka and Kerala High Courts V.S. Malimath at the inauguration of a symposium on `Towards implementation of tobacco contro l legislation in India,' in Bangalore on Tuesday. Ramesh Bilimaga (right), radiation oncologist, Bangalore Institute of Oncology, and C.N. Manjunath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology, are seen. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

Bangalore: The Government should bring out a "White Paper" on implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, V.S. Malimath, former Chief Justice of the Karnataka and Kerala High Courts, has said.

He was speaking after inaugurating a symposium on "Towards implementation of tobacco control legislation in India" here on Tuesday.

The symposium was organised by The Consortium For Tobacco Free Karnataka and Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology. It was supported by World Health Organisation's Southeast Asia Regional Office and Union Ministry of Health.

Mr. Malimath said the "White Paper" should be placed before the legislature for discussion. People had the right to know how far the Act had been implemented. Most of those responsible for implementation of the Act were tobacco users themselves, he added.

"There are several loopholes in the Act. Tobacco companies are lobbying with the Government. It is a half-hearted attempt to prohibit the use of tobacco," he said.

The Government should impose a ban on the cultivation and import of tobacco in the country, he said.

Mr. Malimath said the Act placed regulations on the place where people could use tobacco. The Government should be accountable to society. "People are being fooled by the Government, as it is only committed to the cause of tobacco growers and manufacturers. Also, the punishment under the Act does not act as a deterrent," he said.

Mr. Malimath said that people should be educated on the hazards through effective advertisements, which was a powerful media. "Though the law prohibits tobacco manufacturers from advertising their products, it does prohibit scenes in movies and serials where the actors are shown using tobacco products," he said. According to Article 47 of the Constitution, it was the duty of the State to improve nutrition, standard of living and public health, he said.

Actor S. Shivaram released a booklet published by the consortium on the occasion.

C.N. Manjunath, Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology, presided over the function. India was the second largest cultivator and consumer of tobacco in the world. Every year, five million people died of tobacco-related diseases in the country.

According to estimates, by 2015, the number would increase to 20 million people a year. Going by the present trend, India would become the heart attack capital of the world in 2020, he added. Dr. Manjunath said every hospital should have a de-addiction clinic.

All medical associations should support symposiums and pressure for a ban on the use of tobacco, he said. G.G. Jayanta, assistant vice-president of Radio Mirchi, spoke about the SMS campaign, "One Lakh One Voice." Ramesh Bilimaga, radiation oncologist, Bangalore Institute of Oncology, welcomed the gathering. I.B. Vijayalakshmi and S.J. Chander, organising secretaries, were present.

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