Open House: What should be done to check the illegal sale of tobacco products?

Spread awareness on risks of tobacco use
Public awareness is crucial in all domains of social change because it is the most reliable source of information on what is good and bad for society. Despite the fact that all forms of tobacco use pose a significant health risk, many users are unaware of the extent of harm tobacco causes and tend to underestimate the risk to themselves and others. Smokers may continue to put themselves at risk for potentially fatal diseases like cancers of lungs or mouth because they believe it relieves stress and anxiety. This sense of calm fades, giving way to withdrawal symptoms and increased carving, making quitting extremely difficult for them due to the depth of nicotine addiction. It is critical that authorities achieve tobacco control among youth in order to discourage them from using tobacco products, but it is unfortunate that government machinery is lagging in establishing mechanisms to prevent the sale of tobacco products within a 100 m radius of educational institutes, despite the fact that a comprehensive tobacco control law — Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) — is in place. The need of the hour is for all stakeholders to collaborate to raise awareness among youth about the risks of tobacco use. In addition, COTPA requires authorities to take punitive action against violators.
Novin christopher

Prohibit smoking in public places
Tobacco use poses serious health risks, including cancers of jaw, throat, respiratory tract and lungs. Tobacco use puts women at a higher risk of infertility, miscarriage and pregnancy complications. While more than one in three Indian men smoke, the ratio drops to one in five in Punjab. The majority of illegal cigarette brands originate in China and are sold to retailers at significantly lower prices than India-made cigarettes. This trade has grown significantly in large cities such as Ludhiana and Amritsar. The illegal sale of tobacco products can only be stopped if the administration wholeheartedly enforced the COTPA. Raids should be conducted near railway stations, bus stops, government offices, educational institutions and other vulnerable areas, and shopkeepers who violate COTPA instructions should face severe punishment and/or fines. Hookah and hookah bars should be banned. Smoking in public places should be prohibited. The sale of tobacco products to minors is illegal, and anyone who gives such a product to a child is punishable by rigorous imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh. Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship should be banned. ‘No Tobacco Day’ should be observed on November 1, every year, throughout Punjab to raise public awareness on the dangers of tobacco products.
RS Sembhi

Educate sellers on Cotpa guidelines
To address the illegal sale of tobacco products near Ludhiana’s educational institutions, several measures should be implemented. Authorities must strictly enforce the 100 m restriction law, conducting regular inspections and raids to identify and penalise violators. Increasing fines and penalties for those caught selling tobacco products near educational institutions can be an effective deterrent. Public awareness campaigns should educate the community about the dangers of tobacco use and the importance of following the law. Engaging local media, schools and colleges in these campaigns can help spread the message and gain public support. Educational institutions should work with local authorities to monitor the area and report any violations. Schools and colleges can also organise awareness campaigns for students and parents to highlight the risks of tobacco use. Encourage residents to report illegal kiosks using a dedicated helpline or an anonymous reporting app, which can help authorities take swift action against offenders. Furthermore, providing assistance and training to kiosk owners to transition to other sources of income can reduce the economic incentive to sell tobacco products. By implementing these measures, authorities can provide a safer environment for students, effectively enforce the law, and reduce tobacco use among the youth in Ludhiana.
Sehaj Kaur

Ensure COTPA is enforced to a T
It is unfortunate that the presence of shops selling tobacco and other intoxicants near schools, colleges and religious institutions remains unchecked. Despite clear instructions not to sell tobacco products in the vicinity of educational institutions, the local administration is ignoring the issue. Each zone must have a team to ensure COTPA is enforced to a T. If they find a shop within 100 m of a school or college, they must issue a challan. Schools and colleges must form teams of teachers and students to ensure that tobacco shops do not sprout up in the vicinity of the campuses. Should the teams find such establishments, they must notify the police and a corporation official so that legal action can be taken against the violators of the law. People who live near educational institutions must cooperate in reporting shops that sell intoxicants and other harmful drugs. The police must install signs with phone numbers so that anyone who notices a shop selling tobacco or cigarettes near an educational institution can report COTPA violation promptly.
Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Issuade students from drug abuse
Tobacco and cigarette kiosks operate freely near schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions in Ludhiana, blatantly violating well-defined norms. Owners are clearly violating the 100 m limit on operating such kiosks near educational institutions. Although we traditionally oppose the use of tobacco products throughout Punjab, migrants engage in this trade. This is a worrying situation. Users of tobacco products are at risk for a variety of diseases, including oral and lung cancer. To eliminate tobacco use in schools and colleges, the government and educational institutions should implement a multifaceted strategy. Government guidelines recommend that all schools create and enforce a tobacco policy, teach about the short- and long-term negative physiologic and social consequences of tobacco use, peer norms regarding tobacco use and refusal skills. Several evidence-based strategies exist to help prevent and reduce tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure. These include smoke-free policies, price hikes and intersectional health education campaigns. Counselling and medication can also help people quit using tobacco products. Students, teachers, staff and visitors should never be allowed to smoke or chew tobacco on the premises of the institution. Display sign boards reading ‘No Smoking Area: Smoking here is an offence’ inside the institutions, as required by the law. Do not succumb to peer pressure, drug abuse is a sure shot way to ruin your life.
Sukhdev Sharma

Residents must report illegal sale of tobacco
There is growing concern about the sale of illegal tobacco products near educational institutions. Tobacco use is a major health concern because it is associated with a variety of diseases and health conditions. Government officials should conduct surprise visits and inspections to prevent illegal tobacco sales. Residents should remain vigilant and report any such activity to the authorities concerned. Those found guilty should face serious consequences. Furthermore, awareness camps and events, such as nukkad natak and roleplay, can be organised to educate people about the health risks associated with tobacco use. If residents are cautious, the illegal sale of tobacco will naturally decline.
Kirandeep Kaur

Conduct ‘undercover ops’ to nab offenders
To combat illegal tobacco sales, authorities should step up surveillance by regularly inspecting retail outlets, particularly those near schools and colleges. This proactive approach may deter illegal sales. Furthermore, conducting ‘undercover operations’ to catch violators of the COTPA strengthens cases against illegal sellers, resulting in stricter enforcement.
tamanpreet kaur khangura conduct routine raids to check violations To prevent the illegal sale of tobacco products near educational institutions in Ludhiana, the following measures can be implemented: District administration and the police should step up their surveillance and monitoring. Conduct routine raids and inspections to catch violators. Impose fines and penalties on shopkeepers who break the rules. Kiosks that operate in ‘restricted areas’ should be sealed or shut down. Inform the vendors about the laws and regulations pertaining to tobacco use. Involve school and college authorities in reporting violations. Raise awareness among students and residents about the dangers of tobacco. Set up a complaint mechanism for reporting illegal sales. Support enforcement by collaborating with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and health organisations. Review and strengthen existing laws and regulations to avoid loopholes. Taking these steps will effectively prevent the illegal sale of tobacco products near educational institutions, protecting students’ health and well-being.

Parneet kaur

Cancel licence of repeat offenders
Ludhiana has over 500 schools, and 80 per cent of them lack tobacco-free zones, leaving thousands of students vulnerable to the harmful effects of tobacco. Despite the law prohibiting tobacco sales within 100 m of educational institutions, the unregulated sale of tobacco products near schools continues to endanger students’ health and well-being. To combat the illegal sale of tobacco products near educational institutions, the district administration and the police should consider the following steps:
Raise awareness among students, parents, and teachers about the dangers of tobacco sales near educational institutions. Impose heavy fines for illegal sale of tobacco products. Conduct regular raids on kiosks to apprehend violators. Cancel the licence of repeat offenders. Monitor and assess the effectiveness of enforcement efforts, regularly. By putting in place these measures, we can protect students’ health and create a tobacco-free environment around educational institutions.
niyati manocha must cooperate with enforcement agencies Everyday, we hear or read about the death of a young individual as a result of drug overdose. We also notice that every nook and cranny has a small shop selling pan, beedi and cigarettes. The government has banned tobacco sales near educational institutions and religious sites. The government must take strict action against shopkeepers who sell tobacco near such sensitive sites. Teachers must raise awareness among their pupils about the dangers of intoxicants. Punjab is in the grip of drugs, and it is the joint responsibility of the state government, police, and residents to weed out our young generation of drug users. Those who run drug rackets must be put behind bars. Corporations must designate an area for tobacco shops. The sale of tobacco to minors must be prohibited. Every establishment that sells tobacco or other intoxicants must be inspected on a regular basis by the police or an employee of the corporation. Some short films about the dangers of these intoxicants should be shown to students and residents. We must cooperate with the law enforcing agencies to eliminate drugs and other intoxicants from society so that our generation may live a healthy life.
Farzana Khan

Youth education programmes a must
We urgently need youth education programmes to combat the illegal sale of tobacco products. These programmes aim to educate the youth about the health risks associated with tobacco use, as well as the legal consequences of illegally purchasing and selling tobacco. Schools can incorporate comprehensive tobacco education into their curricula by providing healthcare professionals-led workshops and seminars. Debates and role-playing games are two examples of interactive activities that can engage students and reinforce the message. These programmes are aimed at reducing the demand for tobacco products by fostering a well-informed generation of law-abiding residents.
Sahleen Kaur

Reinforce tobacco control regulations
One of the most pressing issues today is the illegal sale of tobacco products. Young children carrying these harmful intoxicants and stimulants is becoming a common sight. Several measures can be taken to address the issue. Enforce existing laws: Reinforce tobacco control regulations and ensure retailer compliance. It is also crucial to prohibit tobacco advertisements in newspapers and other media. Public awareness campaigns: Use awareness campaigns to educate residents about the dangers of tobacco use. People frequently overlook the dangers of tobacco, and increasing awareness can help reduce its appeal. Strict penalties: Penalties for those selling tobacco near educational institutions and religious places, and to minors should be severe. This will serve as a deterrent, encouraging others to think twice before engaging in illegal sales. Implementing these strategies can significantly reduce illegal tobacco sales while protecting public health.
Japleen Kaur

QUESTION
Even as underage driving remains a common sight, especially outside schools, the traffic police have put on hold the implementation of Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act, 2019, which was supposed to be enforced from August 1. Should the law enforcement agencies deal with those violating traffic rules strictly, or continue to turn a blind eye ?

Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to ludhianadesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (August 8)

School heads can challan violators
All school heads are empowered to challan the sellers and users of tobacco products within a 100 m radius of their institutions. Besides putting ‘tobacco-free area’ boards inside and outside their institutions, they should also demarcate the 100 m radius around their establishments from the outer walls. We have also launched a special drive to check the menace with the help of all stakeholders concerned and the violators would be dealt with sternly. — Ashish Chawla, District Nodal Officer, Tobacco control