Guwahati: Assam Chamber of Commerce, Consumer Voice, New Delhi, and Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum on Sunday stated that Assam shall abide strictly by the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act of 2003 Law.
In a statement, they declared that its members shall refrain from selling any kind of tobacco products to children and youth. Considering the consumption of Tobacco products and injurious to health leading to serious illnesses and mortalities in many cases. They jointly declared that selling tobacco products near educational institutions should be strictly banned by the enforcement agencies. They also appealed to parents, guardians, teachers, educational institutions managements, and hostels to ensure that youth are properly explained the consequences so that they do not get addicted.
Rupam Goswami, Chairman, Assam Chamber of Commerce in the statement said that members of the association are told on a regular basis about the compliance with the COTPA 2003 law provisions and that the retailers require the community help to ensure that law is obeyed. He promised strict action against members who do not abide by the law of the land.
Ashim Sanyal, COO & Secretary, Consumer Voice, New Delhi expressed his satisfaction over the first round of discussion with Assam Chamber of Commerce and appealed to the members of the Assam Chamber of Commerce to abide by the existing COTPA law and with any amendment clauses which the central government is discussing.
Advocate Ajoy Hazarika, Secretary, Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum, Assam expressed the view that tobacco control does not mean harming the livelihood of the tobacco retailers. Protecting the lives of innocent children and youth from tobacco use harm is the duty of all retailers. He promised for mass awareness campaigns to be organized in schools and colleges along with Retailers so that jointly tobacco consumption levels in Assam can come down.