Date:22/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/22/stories/2008092255430500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

NGOs may be empowered to penalise smoking ban violators, says Anbumani

Special Correspondent

This will fulfil the need to generate a base of volunteers to implement the ban

— Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

FRIENDLY MATCH: Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss partners a challenged person at the first international sports and talent meet for the physically challenged at the Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.

CHENNAI: The Centre plans to authorise non-governmental organisations to penalise those found violating the nationwide ban on smoking in designated places that will come in effect on October 2, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said on Sunday.

The Minister, who gave away medals to the winners of the first international sports and talent meet for the physically challenged hosted by Rotary International District 3230, said legalising organisations to “challan” violators would fulfil the need to generate a base of volunteers to implement the ban.

Dr. Anbumani, who had earlier won the hearts of the challenged youth from 16 Indian States and seven Asian countries by pairing up with Girish Sharma of Gujarat for a shuttle badminton friendly match, urged youth to be ambassadors in the campaigns against tobacco, drugs, alcohol, junk foods and HIV/AIDS.

The mean age of initiation into alcohol and tobacco had dropped alarmingly from 28 years to 13.5 in recent times. Tobacco, which had 250 users, was responsible for 40 per cent of all health problems. Of the estimated 5 million deaths from tobacco-related causes in the world, India was the highest contributor, with one million deaths every year, he said.

Alcohol abuse was another disconcerting trend with 50 per cent of the 62 million users deemed hazardous drinkers. In this context, he urged the States, including Tamil Nadu, to implement total prohibition.

Dr. Anbumani said the youth was a high-focus segment because youngsters who were looked upon to lead India to the stature of superpower in the next decade were also vulnerable to unhealthy habits. India held the demographic advantage of having the world’s largest population base of persons—600 million—below 30 years.

Referring to the Rotary’s plea for challenged-friendly stadia, the Minister said the government would improve facilities not just for sports events but across utilities such as railway stations.

Dr. Anbumani presented the RYLA overall champion award to Rajalakshmi of Madurai (who bagged two gold medals and a silver medal) and the trophy for the best overall contingent to Team India.

About 800 sportspersons from across India and Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia participated in the three-day event.