Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 8: Jammu and Kashmir Voluntary Health Association, Pandrethan and Civil Society members expressed concern over the growing menace of smoking and use of tobacco products in the State.
According to press release the meeting was chaired by A.M. Mir IAS (Retd) Executive Director, J&K Voluntary Health Association who informed that the "Global Adult Tobacco Survey" (GATS) of J&K indicates that 26.6% population of Jammu & Kashmir is using tobacco products, in one form or the other. J&K has 12% cigarette smokers, 3.8% bidi smokers and 8.0% smokeless tobacco users.
Mir also informed the members that J&K's cigarette use prevalence is 12% which is almost double the nationwide prevalence of 5.7%. The highest proportion of adults 67.9% are exposed to tobacco smoke in offices and other public places in J&K as compared to 15.4% in Chandigarh. The Burden of cigarette smoking and tobacco use for Jammu Kashmir is very high.
Keeping this in view the members of civil society, coalition partner NGO and volunteers of Kashmir valley resolved to apprise the Govt. about the serious consequences caused by the hazards of smoking and use of various forms of tobacco products in the state for appropriate measures to reduce its consumption.
The NGO members have proposed to appeal the State Govt. to raise VAT on all forms of tobacco products from 40% to 70% in the larger interests of public health. This will greatly reduce the consumption and save vulnerable young people from this menace. The members of NGOs who supported this appeal were JKVHA, Sahara, Wings, Human Welfare, Escorts, Aman, World Health Environment, Women's Empowerment, Literacy Institute, Rehmat Social Welfare, Dilshad, Green Kashmir, Cultural Education, Sheikh-ul-Aalam Welfare and Women and Child Welfare Society. |
