Provide alternate livelihood to people in tobacco ind: Swaraj

Stressing on better implementation of anti-tobacco legislation, Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj today said those dependent on tobacco industry for livelihood should be provided alternate options.
"We must be effective in the implementation of legislation already available with us. Are we strictly imposing ban on smoking in public spaces? Is ban on the sale of tobacco and gutkha imposed in all states?" she said.
Swaraj was speaking at the "International Conference on Public Health Priorities in the 21st century: The Endgame for Tobacco".
The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA) was passed in the Parliament during her tenure as Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare.

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said that there was a strong need to implement the anti-tabacco legislation effectively. She also stressed on providing "attractive alternatives" for people whose livelihood depends on tobacco.
"We must address the needs of those persons, who for years, are dependent on tobacco for a living. This not only includes the farmers, but also the beedi-workers and tendu leaves gatherer. We must ensure that we make it attractive for tobacco growers to shift to another crop."

She added, "Alternative source of employment should be found for beedi-workers and tendu leaves gatherers. This requires a larger inter-sectorial effort."

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his speech at the conference yesterday also favoured providing alternate options of livelihoods to those dependent on tobacco.
Swaraj pointed out that of the total deaths in the country, 53 per cent account to non-communicable diseases. "Of these, cancer, diabetes, cardio-vasucular diseases and chronic respiratory diseases are the major killers. For all these diseases tabacco consumption is a common risk factor."
Calling the youth and children as effective "game changers" in the fight against tobacco, she said the tobacco addicts should be given help to free themselves from the addiction.