Banning pan masala

Sir, - The Government Order banning pan masala and other chewing tobacco is a rash act done without a thought to the consequences. The reason for banning chewing tobacco is said to be the health of the citizen. In this country, the health of a citizen suffers due to malnutrition, polluted air and drinking water, adulterated goods, bad roads and rash and negligent drivers, among many others. If the Government is so conscious of the health of the citizens, it should tackle the major problems facing them, which result in disease and death. Banning tobacco would be the last item in the list, if at all it has to be done. Alcohol is even more dangerous and the Government has not done anything to prevent drinking. Illicit brewing goes on. Banning chewing tobacco has caused problems for petty traders and the poor. Health agencies may educate the public on the harmful effects of tobacco chewing. The Government can prevent it from being sold to children under the age of 18. To ban a habit which has been there for hundreds and probably thousands of years is not going to produce the desired results.

And what about snuff? Will the Government ban this little pinch of a thing, which according to many connoisseurs makes the brain work better?

V.S. Venkatavaradan,

Salem, T.N.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Opinion
Previous : Saints Lenin and Stalin?
Next     : Welcome move